Former Arkansas State Representative Austin McCollum has been arrested for a second time, this time on allegations of first-degree stalking and violating a protection order.
According to Benton County jail information, McCollum, 35, was arrested September 29 by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
The new arrest follows an earlier domestic violence case involving his wife that led to McCollum’s resignation from the Arkansas House of Representatives in August.
McCollum has not been convicted in either matter and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
FIRST ARREST FOLLOWED AUGUST 1 INCIDENT
McCollum was first arrested August 1 after Benton County deputies responded to a disturbance at a Bentonville residence.
Investigators alleged McCollum struck his wife in the face and slammed her head against the ground during an argument. He was initially arrested on allegations including domestic battery, first-degree false imprisonment and aggravated assault involving a family or household member. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”1″}
The domestic battery allegation was later filed as second-degree battering, a felony, along with felony false imprisonment and aggravated assault against a family member. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”2″}
McCollum was released after posting a $10,000 bond.
He appeared in Benton County Circuit Court September 8 and pleaded not guilty to all 3 felony charges.
His next court date is scheduled for December 1. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”3″}
MCCOLLUM RESIGNED FROM ARKANSAS HOUSE
McCollum resigned from the Arkansas House on August 5, several days after the initial arrest.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Attorney General Tim Griffin, House Speaker Brian Evans and other Republican officials had publicly called for McCollum to resign following the arrest.
McCollum had represented House District 8 and had served in the Arkansas Legislature since 2017. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”4″}
ORDER OF PROTECTION ISSUED
Court records show McCollum’s wife sought court protection following the August incident.
A Benton County judge issued an order requiring McCollum to stay away from and not contact his wife. Court reporting also indicates he was limited to supervised visitation with his children. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”5″}
The September 29 arrest includes an allegation that McCollum violated a protection order along with first-degree stalking.
Details surrounding the alleged conduct leading to those new charges have not yet been fully released.
BENTON COUNTY JUDGE RACE
McCollum remains the Republican nominee for Benton County Judge and is the only candidate listed in the November general election race.
Benton County officials have said his name remains on the ballot despite the pending criminal cases. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”6″}
The Benton County Republican Party previously said Arkansas law does not provide a way to simply remove McCollum from the ballot under the current circumstances.
County Judge Barry Moehring said September 9 that McCollum had been arraigned on the earlier felony charges but emphasized that McCollum had not been convicted and is entitled to defend himself through the judicial process. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”7″}
State Senator Bart Hester has publicly said he expects McCollum would decline to take the oath of office if elected, which could allow the Benton County Quorum Court to address a vacancy. That remains an expectation expressed by Hester, not a confirmed action by McCollum. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”8″}
The new September 29 charges are allegations, and the criminal cases remain pending.
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