Rick Watkins, the former vice chairman of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, pleaded innocent to public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges Tuesday, Lonoke County District Court Clerk Sunnye Freeby said.
Watkins, 54, resigned from his position with the Game and Fish Commission after his Jan. 22 arrest by Lonoke County sheriff’s office deputies, who were assisted by Arkansas State Police troopers.
Watkins was “very intoxicated,” with bloodshot eyes, “waving his arms” outside the rural Lonoke County home of Jessica and Brian Adamson when authorities arrived at the scene, Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley said.
After banging on the front door of the home and asking where his children and truck were, Watkins fired a shot into the ground, deputies’ reports said.
No one was injured, and the homeowners didn’t know Watkins, reports said.
Authorities said they found several bottles of alcoholic beverages and several firearms in Watkins’ vehicle, which had Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner tags.
A Glock .40-caliber handgun was on the hood of the truck, and Watkins cooperated with deputies, Staley said.
A hearing in the case is scheduled for May 8 before Judge Teresa Smith of the Lonoke County District Court.
Arkansas, Pages 13 on 03/09/2013