From the desk of Sheriff Scott Bradley

On September 19th, 2016, Deputies from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office assisted by the Arkansas State Police responded to a possible shooting on Long Branch Ln. When deputies arrived, the suspect had left the area in a black Toyota pickup. After a short while, an Arkansas State Police Trooper, located the vehicle a found that the driver had not shot himself as reported. The suspect was identified as 24 year old Dustyn Howell of Viola. A weapon was found in the vehicle by the Trooper and found it to stolen out of Missouri. Howell was arrested and is being charged with felony Theft by Receiving and is currently incarcerated at the Van Buren County Detention Center awaiting a first appearance.