Melton's Bentonville Arrest Detailed In Documents

 Josh Melton Josh Melton
Josh Melton Josh Melton

BENTONVILLE -- Joshua Melton wanted to confront the man he suspected of being in a relationship with his ex-girlfriend, so the former Razorback football player went to where the man worked, according to court documents.

Melton, 34, of Mountain Home was arrested Tuesday in the Lincoln Junior High School parking lot. Melton was arrested in connection with loitering, a Class C misdemeanor, and harassment and carrying a weapon, both Class A misdemeanors.

He was being held in the Benton County Jail with no bond set Wednesday.

A jury found Melton not guilty of second-degree murder last week in Washington County. Melton also was acquitted of manslaughter in the Aug. 28, 2013, death of Michael Gover.

Bentonville police received a call at 12:13 p.m. Tuesday from Melton's former girlfriend, according to a probable cause affidavit. She told police she and Melton had been in a long-term relationship but split up, and now Melton suspected she and Tacuma Williams were having an intimate relationship.

The woman's name wasn't in the probable cause affidavit.

She reported Melton threaten the man and Melton sent her a picture of Williams' vehicle in the school's parking lot, she told police. She also told police Melton had a knife.

Williams showed a police officer a text message Melton sent the woman. The text message contained a photograph of the back of Williams' vehicle in the parking lot and stated Melton was in his vehicle waiting to confront him.

Will Gardner, a school resource officer, saw Melton's Toyota 4-Runner in the parking lot. Melton left the campus in the vehicle, according to the affidavit.

Gardner was notified by police dispatch at 12:20 p.m. Melton was back on the school campus. Gardner saw the vehicle in the same spot in the parking lot.

Gardner went outside and Melton got out of his vehicle and walked toward the school. He and Gardner met in the crosswalk, police said.

Melton told Gardner he was there to ask Williams some questions and he suspected Williams of having a relationship with his former girlfriend.

Police found a large hunting knife under the front seat in Melton's vehicle, the affidavit states.

Police arrested Melton.

The former girlfriend told police she was scared of Melton and he was abusive in the past.

The woman told police Melton texted her, "You have made me crazy for the last time." Melton also told her in a text message he "will show her evil" and he had a knife, according to the affidavit.

NW News on 12/11/2014

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