​Third Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Henry Boyce announced today that Shawn A. Williams, 35, of Pocahontas pled guilty Monday in Randolph County Circuit Court to a 30 year sentence in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
Williams led officers on a multi-county high speed pursuit on May 19, 2014 with speeds reaching 100 miles per hour and more. During the chase through Randolph, Lawrence and Green counties Pocahontas Police Chief Cecil Tackett and Criminal Investigation Division Detective Jesse Luffman wrecked, rolled their vehicle, and were injured. Williams drove the wrong way on Highway 67 during the pursuit, narrowly missed hitting another motorist, and had a four wheeler in the back of the pickup truck he was driving.
Williams pled guilty to two charges of Aggravated Assault and one charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine. Williams was placed in the custody of the Randolph County Sheriff and will be transported to the Arkansas Department of Correction to begin serving his sentence.
Boyce said, “This sentence is significant in that it should send a message to those who flee from the police that serious punishment awaits.â€