From the desk of Sheriff Randy Gurley.

On December 21, 2017, deputies from the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a house on Newton Road. Upon arriving, deputies found 48 year old James Dale Simpkins in the yard with a machete. Simpkins was arrested for Disorderly Conduct, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Furnishing Prohibited Article charges.

All arrests are made on evidence obtained by deputies.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.