BENTONVILLE — A Rogers teen was placed on 10 years of state-supervised probation for his role in a series of drive-by blow dart and paintball shootings in Rogers last year.
William Goines, 17, pleaded guilty Monday to three counts of battery in the second degree, a Class D felony; and two counts of second-degree assault, a Class B misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty under an agreement his attorney, Ed McClure, reached with Carrie Dobbs, deputy prosecutor.
Goines was charged as an adult. Goines and Jeremy Robert Hendrix, 18, were arrested in October in connection with a series of blow dart and paintball shootings that happened in September.
At A Glance
Hendrix Update
Jeremy Robert Hendrix, 18, is charged with three counts of battery in the second degree, a Class D felony; and two counts of second-degree assault, a Class B misdemeanor; in connection with the same case. Hendrix appeared in court Monday where his case was reset to March 28.
Source: Staff Report
Chad Grundy of 712 S. Chateau reported Sept. 13 he was struck by a paintball pellet fired by a man in a moving vehicle, according to court documents.
Leigh-Ann Archuleta, 19, was hit in the neck by a dart at 1203 W. Olive St. on Sept. 21. Police were called to Kohl’s, 301 N. 46th St., on Sept. 26 where Katia Barnel Flores, 21, was hit in the back with a blow dart.
Marshall Brown reported he was hit by a dart Sept. 21 while standing in his front yard in the 3600 block of West Beech Drive, according to court documents.
Kristen Hill reported she was hit by a paintball in mid-September while walking her dog in the Whispering Timbers subdivision.
Detectives discovered the purchase of a blow dart device and darts at Cabela’s and obtained a security photo of the buyer who they identified as Hendrix, according to a probable cause affidavit. Hendrix told police he and Goines didn’t mean to hit anyone, but Goines said they did because they thought it was “funny to see them jump” when hit, according to the affidavit.
Goines admitted to police he and Hendrix shot at five or six people Sept. 21, according to the affidavit. He also said they shot darts at the Sonic Drive-In on East New Hope Road on Sept. 26.
Dobbs told Circuit Judge Brad Karren she discussed the proposed plea with the police and victims and they did not object to it.
Dobbs described the shootings as “very frightening” to the victims, but none of them suffered lasting injuries, although some of the victims did seek medical treatment.
Dobbs said the plea agreement balances the seriousness of the crimes with what she described as mitigating factors in Goines’ favor.
Goines did not have any prior criminal history and remained in the Benton County Jail after his arrest instead of posting bond. Goines also did not attempt to transfer his case to juvenile court and he has agreed not to seek an early release from his probation, Dobbs said.
Karren accepted the plea agreement and Goines’ guilty pleas.
Goines was placed on probation for 10 years under Act 346. That means Goines’ convictions can be expunged if he successfully completes probation.
Goines was sentenced to 120 days in the county jail, but received credit for the time he spent in jail awaiting trial. He must pay $1,450 in court costs.
Goines cannot petition to be released early from his probation and he must testify truthfully against Hendrix.
Karren also ordered Goines not to be on the premises of the Pinnacle Hills Promenade and Scottsdale Center where at least two of the shootings occurred.
“You chose the places to prey on these innocent and defenseless people,” Karren told Goines.
Karren told Goines not to go to either place for 10 years.