FORT SMITH (KFSM) — There will be no charges filed against a Sebastian County justice of the peace accused of aggravated assault, domestic battery and terroristic threatening, according to an announcement from the Crawford County prosecutor’s office Tuesday (August 25).
John Spradlin, 59, was arrested in July after he was accused of grabbing a relative by the throat and pulling her hair for typing a document incorrectly, according to a police report.
The case was handled by Crawford County Prosecutor Marc McCune since the Sebastian County prosecuting attorney had a conflict of interest.
According to McCune, after reviewing the investigation, recorded interviews and speaking with the victim, he decided to follow the victim’s request to not file charges against Spradlin. The victim believes, although the allegations and statements made by her to the Fort Smith Police Department were true, that not filing charges is in her best interests, the release from the prosecutor states.
Spradlin is a member of the Sebastian County Quorum Court.
Spradlin had previously been arrested and charged with a second-degree terroristic threat in January 2006, records show. According to Fort Smith District Court officials, Spradlin appeared in court eight days later, and the case was taken under advisement for six months. The case was dismissed after Spradlin cooperated during that time period, records show.
