SPRINGDALE -- A man whose wife told Springdale police he kidnapped her, held her at gunpoint and beat her was arrested Friday in Florida, according to a Springdale police news release.
Police had been looking for Jonathan Butler, 31, of 2106 Oak Moore St. in Springdale since about 8:30 p.m. Sunday when Tempess Butler, 24, told police her husband assaulted and threatened her, according to police and a preliminary police report.
Butler's wife said she attempted to get away from Butler several times Sunday, but he caught and beat her, according to the preliminary report. He had a loaded AR-15 rifle and threatened to kill her, according to the news release.
The woman escaped out a window. Police sent special operations units to the house because they believed Butler was armed and inside. Police found the home empty, and Butler gone, according to the news release.
Butler was arrested Friday by Florida State Police in Key West, Fla., in connection with kidnapping, aggravated assault and domestic battery, said Derek Hudson, police spokesman. Springdale police are making arrangements for Butler's return to Arkansas, according to the release.
Butler has been arrested previously, Hudson said.
He was arrested last year in connection with felony aggravated assault on a family or household member and misdemeanor domestic battery, according to the Washington County Prosecutor's Office previously. No charges were filed because the victim decided not to cooperate.
Butler pleaded guilty in 2012 to a reckless burning felony and was sentenced to three years at the Arkansas Department of Correction, according to the prosecutor. Butler set fire to a building adjacent to the offices of radio station KXNA.
Butler pleaded guilty in 2007 to criminal mischief and aggravated assault felonies. He was sentenced to six years at the Department of Correction.
NW News on 02/07/2015