Arkansas sheriff's deputy arrested after blow to face; lawman faces 2 felony counts

Daniel Cantwell
Daniel Cantwell

A Pulaski County deputy was arrested early Sunday after he reportedly hit a man in the face during an argument, authorities said.

Daniel Cantwell, a patrol deputy with the Pulaski County sheriff's office, faces two felony charges and a misdemeanor charge related to his arrest in Saline County early Sunday, according to an arrest report.

Deputies from the Saline County sheriff's office responded at 1:07 a.m. Sunday to 1131 Brookhaven Court in rural Saline County, authorities said, for a report of "two males fighting and other people arguing," a report said.

The complainant, Allen Craig, 45, said Cantwell had followed him to his vehicle after an argument and hit him in the face, according to a report. The blow caused a "severe laceration" under the man's left eye, and emergency medical personnel said there could be an injury to his eye, the arrest report said.

Craig was taken to a hospital but did not have life-threatening injuries, according to the statement from the Saline County sheriff's office. The statement said he was discharged from the hospital later Sunday morning.

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Craig, along with witnesses, told authorities that Cantwell threatened to kill Craig, according to the arrest report. A woman also told authorities that Cantwell had grabbed the front of her shirt during the incident.

Saline County deputies arrested Cantwell on charges of second-degree battery, first-degree terroristic threatening and third-degree assault.

The circumstances that led up to the disturbance were unclear Monday.

Lt. Cody Burk, a Pulaski County sheriff's office spokesman, said Cantwell is on administrative leave and that the office's Professional Standards Unit is investigating the incident for any violations of conduct or policy.

"It will be a thorough investigation," Burk said, adding that there is no estimated completion date for the investigation. Burk said Cantwell started at the sheriff's office in October 2015.

The Professional Standards Unit is responsible for investigating misconduct by employees with the sheriff's office, Burk said. The unit does not issue punishment, he said. Rather, the the sheriff's office administrators determine punishment, which can range from termination or suspension to less severe consequences, such as a warning or a reprimand.

According to the agency's Uniform Standards of Conduct, the agency requires members to obey constitutional criminal and civil laws at the city, county, state and federal level.

"Officials who violate those very laws that they are sworn to uphold and observe destroy public faith and respect for this Office and weaken this Office's ability to perform its service mission," according to the document.

Burk said Pulaski County deputies have been arrested in the past, but such arrests are not common.

He declined to comment on the incident in Saline County.

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"Right now we are just getting the details," he said.

Metro on 09/19/2017

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