A fugitive being sought by both state and federal law enforcement agencies who was arrested in Baxter County twice in 38 days appeared in circuit court last Monday.
Thirty-four-year-old Carl Vannatter entered a not guilty plea to his charges.
At the time of his latest arrest, he was being sought for parole violations by the Arkansas Division of Community Corrections and the U.S. Marshal Service.
According to court documents, Vannatter has been charged with criminal acts at the state and federal level in Arkansas, North Dakota, Michigan and Wyoming.
On court documents, Vannatter has listed addresses in Grand Rapids, Michigan and several in this area, including along Sagewood Court in Gassville.
FIRST ARREST
On February 27, a vehicle being driven by Vannatter was pulled over by a Baxter County sheriff’s deputy for speeding and erratic driving. The deputy found that Vannatter had a waiver on file permitting warrantless searches of his person and property.
During the search of his black Dodge Challenger, methamphetamine, marijuana, a set of digital scales, syringes, smoking devices for the ingestion of methamphetamine and an open bottle of what was described as “cinnamon Fireball whiskey” were found.
Vannatter was jailed. He was released on a $5,000 bond. At the time of his release, there were no holds showing to be active on him from other agencies.
SECOND ARREST
He was arrested again April 3 when sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbance call at a residence in the Whiteville area.
It was reported that a male, later identified as Vannatter, had kicked down the door of the residence after an argument began.
The female victim said Vannatter had fled the scene in a Ford F-150 pickup truck with out of state license plates. The victim told officers Vannatter was a fugitive with several outstanding arrest warrants.
Area law enforcement agencies were requested to be on the lookout for Vannatter. An Arkansas State Police trooper reported he was following a vehicle matching the description of the one Vannatter was reported driving.
The vehicle, which had Montana license plates, pulled into a gas station at the intersection of U.S. Highway 62/412 Bypass and State Highway 178 East and stopped.
The trooper detained Vannatter.
A handgun was found in the truck, along with a bag containing 12 grams of methamphetamine and various items of drug paraphernalia.
Vannatter’s local charges include possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, residential burglary, possession of a firearm by a felon, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and various traffic infractions.
There are also parole violation holds on him placed by the Arkansas Division of Community Corrections and the United States Marshal Service.
Court records show that Vannatter has had criminal cases opened on him in Baxter County going back to 2012. The charges in those cases include possession of drugs, theft by receiving, theft of rented or leased property, possession of an instrument of crime and traffic offenses.
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