A dramatic series of events unfolded at a court hearing in Benton County, Arkansas, involving a 32-year-old Rogers man, Barry Almond. Almond’s actions resulted in multiple arrests last month, leaving witnesses and law enforcement stunned.
Almond, representing himself in court, faced a failure to appear charge on July 24. After pleading guilty, he received a three-day sentence in the Benton County Jail. Failing to accept his punishment quietly, Almond pleaded with the judge for public service instead. In response, the judge firmly declined, warning Almond about the consequences of contesting the sentence, including a contempt of court charge.
At that moment, desperation seized Almond, and he made a daring escape. He sprinted out of the courtroom, yelling at his wife, Kristina, and their less-than-a-year-old daughter to “get out of the car.” Almond’s actions put the lives of his family and law enforcement in danger. He jumped into the car and attempted to drive off, narrowly missing running over a deputy’s foot.
An affidavit filed by the deputy revealed the chaotic scene that followed. Almond drove around the parking lot, desperately trying to convince his family to join him in the vehicle. Both the deputy and Kristina, clutching their young child, had to leap back to avoid being struck by the speeding vehicle. The deputy later testified, “It seemed to me Barry did not care if he ran over Kristina, her daughter, or myself, as long as he got away.”
Eventually, Almond managed to elude the deputy’s attempts to stop him and fled the parking lot. However, a determined officer quickly intercepted him and motivated him to return to the courthouse. Unsurprisingly, Almond was promptly placed back into custody before facing the judge once more.
During the subsequent encounter, the judge informed Almond of additional charges and a revised sentence. Shockingly, Almond managed to escape from custody a second time, while his handcuffs were still secured to a chair. The details surrounding this second escape remain undisclosed in the affidavit.
As a result of his actions, Almond now faces multiple charges, including escape, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a minor, and fleeing. His arraignment is scheduled for September 5 in Benton County, where he is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.
The events that transpired during this court hearing highlight the dangers faced by law enforcement and the lengths some individuals will go to evade justice. It serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of certain encounters within the criminal justice system.
Author: Ryan Scott
Just a guy