Lucas Peppers of Walnut Ridge, the self-proclaimed journalist who took video and accused the Hoxie Mayor of attempting to run over him with a vehicle has now been charged with second-degree terroristic threatening.
Peppers was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Terroristic Threatening (misdemeanor) after police said he threatened a Hoxie city committee member.
Court documents say the charge stems from a Sept. 13th incident at the Hoxie City Hall where William Watkins, a member of the city’s zoning and planning committee, claimed that Peppers was aggressive and arguing smoking distances to city buildings, stating that the people had to be 20 feet from the structure.
Watkins claimed that Peppers stepped in front of him and put his camera in his face, saying “to get out of his personal space or there would be dire consequences.”
Watkins then asked if Peppers was threatening him, Peppers responded it was a promise.
Peppers also advised that he knew who Watkins was and where he lived.
Watkins stated to police he felt threatened and was worried about what Peppers might do.
Peppers was charged, booked into the Lawrence County Detention Center and later released on his own recognizance.
Original Article From September 18th:
Investigation Opened After Hoxie Mayor Attempts To Run Over Journalist
Hoxie Mayor Dennis Coggins is accused of trying to run over an independent journalist with his pickup truck on September 8th.
The journalist identified as Lucas Peppers was at the Hoxie City Hall to retrieve some information through FOIA when he was told by Mayor Coggins that he was not allowed to film in the lobby of the building.
Peppers continues filming outside when the Mayor gets into his vehicle and appears to attempt to run over Peppers before exiting the parking lot.
Peppers called 911 immediately and reported the incident to the Lawrence County Dispatch.
Mayor Coggins later made threats in front of two Hoxie PD officers, Hoxie Police Chief Cheatham and Sheriff Tony Waldrupe, those threats were captured on Sheriff Waldrupe’s body camera.
Security cameras in the building also captured the threat, that video along with the journalists video and body cam video is expected to be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office.