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DASH CAM: Deputies Justified In Opening Fire During Sting In Walmart Parking Lot

ROGERS (KFSM) — Benton County deputies were justified in opening fire during a “sting” operation in a Walmart parking lot in Rogers in April, ...

ROGERS (KFSM) -- Benton County deputies were justified in opening fire during a "sting" operation in a Walmart parking lot in Rogers in April, the Benton County prosecutor said Tuesday (May 31).

The operation, which took place April 23, led to the arrest of Jose Luis Centeno, Jr., 33, who is now facing charges of attempted capital murder, aggravated assault, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, fleeing in a vehicle and tampering with physical evidence, according to the affidavit.

Six members of the Benton County Sheriff's Office and a Cave Springs police officer were involved in the undercover operation, which was initiated by a source who said they could set up a meeting with Centeno to buy methamphetamine, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The meeting was set up in the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter on Pleasant Grove Road, which is open 24/7, and law enforcement moved in on Centeno around 1 a.m., the affidavit states.

jose centeno mug

Two Benton County deputies and the police officer blocked Centeno's car in from the back while two other deputies blocked the car in from the front. All the law enforcement officers then came out of their vehicles and ordered the suspect to show his hands, the affidavit states.

Centeno started the car and rammed the Cave Springs officer's truck causing the officer to fall to the ground, according to the affidavit. The suspect then swerved the car toward the deputy who told him to show his hands and continued to swerve until he struck the deputy causing him to flip over the hood of the vehicle, the affidavit states.

Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Smith requested that Arkansas State Police investigate the use of force by law enforcement officers. Smith concluded the use of force was legally justified.

"It is kind of is amazing that no one was actually hurt in this incident," Smith said. "But nevertheless [the deputies] were justified in using deadly force because when he struck Officer [Matthew] Nading with his vehicle, that is deadly force and he easily could have killed that police officer."

The other deputies and police officer then fired shots at Centeno, who continued to flee from the scene and jumped the median to leave the Walmart parking lot, according to the affidavit.

Centeno was taken into custody after he spun out just north of the intersection of New Hope Road and 26th Street, which is about 2.5 miles from the Walmart Supercenter, the affidavit states.

"In this case I think it is important to remember that the person creating this dangerous situation was the defendant himself when he chose not to respond to the lawful commands of police officers and try to flee," said Smith.

Smith said in many drug bust situations, the suspect is the one choosing the location where the meeting will take place.

“I think there are obviously times when people have various amounts of drugs and I think it is up to law enforcement professionals and officials to determine what the wise course of action is or not," he said. "I think it is something that they will reevaluate in every circumstance and I think this will cause them to do that."

The sting operation is one of several incidents mentioned in a memo sent to the Benton County Quorum Court April 25, in which the mayors and police chiefs of Rogers and Bentonville expressed concerns about what they considered to be reckless conduct and lack of communication from Benton County deputies.

The memo states a deputy asked Rogers police officers to stay out of the area during the sting operation. Less than 10 minutes later, the Rogers Police Department was notified of shots fired in the parking lot "placing an untold number of citizens and passersby in extreme danger" since the Walmart is open 24/7.

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