Latest news with #FortSmithPoliceDepartment
Miami Herald
06-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Doctor drugged, secretly filmed people while sexually assaulting them, AR cops say
National Doctor drugged, secretly filmed people while sexually assaulting them, AR cops say An Arkansas doctor is accused of using hidden cameras to secretly film people showering and changing clothes, police said. Getty Images/iStockphoto A doctor in Arkansas spent nearly a decade using hidden cameras to film people, including a juvenile, as they changed clothes in a bedroom or took a shower, police said. Landaryl Lankford, 46, is facing multiple sexual offense charges, according to the Fort Smith Police Department. The offenses occurred over a span of more than nine years. He was arrested and charged with rape, sexual assault, possession or use of child sexual abuse material, introduction of a controlled substance into the body of another and video voyeurism, police said in an April 29 news release. Lankford's attorney information was not listed. The investigation came to a forefront on March 30 when a victim came forward and reported that they woke up to Lankford sexually assaulting them, police said. 'Thousands of videos,' including child sexual abuse material, were found on the man's devices, according to an arrest affidavit. Some of the videos showed the man putting up hidden cameras in a bedroom and bathroom in a residence, according to the affidavit. Photos and videos of a child changing in a bedroom were also on the devices, police said. Lankford was also seen on some of the video files standing over victims he had drugged with a controlled sleeping pill and sexually assaulted while they were asleep, the affidavit said. Multiple victims were identified in the course of the investigation, according to police. One victim was a juvenile, police said . Videos found on the devices also showed Lankford moving similar-looking pills into different pill bottles, according to police. Officers found 'Triazolam' prescription bottles, a sedative used to treat insomnia, for Lankford and a pill crusher in the residence, according to the arrest affidavit. The investigation is ongoing. Fort Smith is about a 160-mile drive northwest from Little Rock. If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom. Kate Linderman mcclatchy-newsroom Go to X Email this person Kate Linderman covers national news for McClatchy's real-time team. She reports on politics and crime and courts news in the Midwest. Kate is a 2023 graduate of DePaul University and is based in Chicago.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fort Smith holding special election in May for city sales tax reauthorization, reallocation
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A special election in Fort Smith next month will give residents a chance to vote for or against ordinances regarding the city's existing 2% sales and use tax. Here's what the measures would do, according to the city: 1. Reauthorizing the 2022 3/4-cent Sales and Use Tax 1/8-cent would continue funding the Fort Smith Police Department. 5/8-cent would continue to be allocated to Consent Decree work, which includes federally mandated sewer system improvements. If approved, this reauthorization would be extended for the term required to pay off bonds, which is projected to be 34 years. Fort Smith double homicide suspect set to appear in court this week 2. Reauthorizing and Reallocating the 1-cent Sales and Use Tax Currently, this tax funds streets, bridges, and associated drainage. Under the proposal, 3/8-cent would be reallocated to Consent Decree work and authorized to pay bonds, while the rest would remain for street and drainage projects. 5/8-cent would continue to be used for Streets, Bridges, and Associated Drainage 3. Bond issuance Issuing bonds on the combined amount from the reallocation (3/8-cent) and the reauthorization (5/8-cent) The City would issue bonds to fund up to $360 million in Consent Decree and sewer capital improvement projects. Bond debt would be structured for repayment over 30 years from the time bonds are issued, which could be shortened if sales tax revenue increases. The city said these measures do not include new taxes or tax increases. The measures are being proposed to address sewer infrastructure needs as mandated by the federal Consent Decree. A sample ballot can be found below: City-of-Fort-Smith-Sample-Ballot-for-ASE2025Download The special election is scheduled for May 13, and early voting is set to begin on May 6. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
WATCH: Former Fort Smith officers filmed hazing colleagues
This article may contain content that some may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised. FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — KNWA/FOX24 has obtained body camera footage from the Fort Smith Police Department's investigation into hazing, harassment and dangerous behavior among night shift officers. The Fort Smith Police Department is requesting the decertification of several of the former officers involved. Danny Nacalaban, Johnne Le, Michael D'Agostino, Seth Dominic and Rodrigo Roque were fired in January after an internal investigation uncovered misconduct and potentially criminal acts. The investigation found that these officers: Pointed loaded guns at fellow officers Misused Tasers to intimidate other officers Took part in hazing, including name-calling Threatened to withhold backup in dangerous situations if others didn't go along with their behavior Former Siloam Springs police officer has law enforcement certification revoked A sixth officer, Dalton Tucker, who was also fired in January, appealed his termination, but the Fort Smith Civil Service Commission upheld the decision in February. However, the commission recommended he not be decertified. This is part of continuing coverage by KNWA/KFTA. Click to read the last update. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Yahoo
Trial delayed for man facing negligent homicide in Fort Smith teen's death
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — An Alma man accused of negligent homicide in connection with a Fort Smith teen's death has had his trial delayed because of pending crime lab results, according to court documents. Craig Asplund, 61, was arrested on Oct. 11, 2024, for a DWI charge. His charges were later upgraded to include a negligent homicide charge. A probable cause affidavit said Asplund was driving near the intersection of Kelley Highway and North 44th Street in Fort Smith. As he turned right onto Kelley Highway, he reportedly hit a 13-year-old pedestrian who was crossing the road in front of Asplund's truck. Man faces new charge after teen killed on Kelley Highway Officers with the Fort Smith Police Department responded to the incident and found Asplund was 'tense, lethargic, and sleepy, almost falling asleep during portions of their contact with him.' The affidavit said Asplund failed multiple field sobriety tests at the scene. Asplund told authorities that he took Nyquil, ketorolac, Tylenol and melatonin the night before the alleged incident. A drug recognition expert was at the scene and determined Asplund was under the influence of a narcotic analgesic, the affidavit said. Urine and blood samples were taken from Asplund and taken to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. His trial date, originally set for March 17, was delayed because of pending crime lab results. The new trial date has been set for May 19. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Barling man sentenced to 8 years for planning to carry out shooting at Fort Smith mall
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A Barling man has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison after he planned to carry out a shooting at Central Mall in Fort Smith, according to court documents. Rodney Sheffield, 41, was sentenced on Tuesday for threatening a federal official and for having child pornography on his phone when he was arrested. He pleaded guilty to those charges in June. Sheffield's eight-year sentence also includes five years of supervised release. 'The Court recommends that the defendant be a candidate for any drug treatment he may qualify for and that he be allowed to participate in mental health counseling/treatment while incarcerated,' the sentencing order said. The Fort Smith Police Department said it responded to Central Mall for a 911 call where the caller said Sheffield was driving to the mall with the intent to carry out a shooting. Fort Smith school bus involved in two-vehicle crash; non-life-threatening injuries reported Officers made a traffic stop on Sheffield for driving recklessly near Rogers Avenue in Fort Smith. During the traffic stop, the officer noticed a rifle on the passenger side floorboard of the vehicle. Further investigation showed Sheffield had a pending Social Security disability claim and was upset at the status of the claim. A witness said Sheffield had gone to the building where the Social Security Administration offices were located and told him 'I've had enough, I can't take it anymore.' The person said Sheffield told him he was going to shoot the Social Security Administrative Law Judge. Sheffield said he wanted to do this to 'teach the government a lesson,' a release from FSPD said. The person said he called 911 after speaking to Sheffield. Police later searched Sheffield's phone. They found images and videos of child pornography including children as young as around five years old. He was officially booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 27 and released on bond on May 9. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
