Fayetteville Man Adds Another Charge To Long List

FAYETTEVILLE — A Fayetteville man who pleaded guilty last month to a litany of felony charges, including firing a gun during an August altercation in Tontitown, added another charge this week related to a jail fight.

Austin Edward Wenger, 20, pleaded guilty Dec. 16 in Washington County Circuit Court to residential burglary, unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, being a felon in possession of a firearm, witness bribery, felony theft of property and misdemeanor theft of property. He was sentenced to 30 years at the Arkansas Department of Correction with 18 years suspended, leaving 12 years to serve. Sentences for each of the charges will run concurrently.

Several parole revocations, involving earlier felony convictions, were also addressed in the plea bargain.

The charges related to what prosecutors described as a “mini-crime spree” between Aug. 13 and Aug. 26 that included at least four incidents: a theft, a residential burglary, the witness bribery and the Tontitown shooting.

Tontitown police went to 1541 Arbor Acres on Aug. 22 for a report of shots fired.

According to an arrest report, Keisha Gregory told police she and Wenger were arguing, the argument turned violent and when she tried to leave the house, Wenger brandished two handguns.

Wenger held one of the handguns to her head and threatened to kill her, according to the report. He got in another car and fired at least three shots while driving away, according to the report. No one was injured.

After being arrested, Wenger sent a letter to Gregory offering her a bribe to not testify against him.

Wenger faces a third-degree misdemeanor battery charge after a fight in the jail Wednesday. Jailers said Wenger attacked another inmate, who suffered a contusion under his right eye. A nurse treated Wenger for an injured hand, according to a deputy. Arraignment is set for Feb. 3 in Fayetteville District Court.

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