Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

PPD investigates Sept. 4 shooting

The Prescott Police Department and Arkansas State Police are investigating the shooting of a Prescott man on Sept. 4.

According to police reports, Ardell Applegate, 49, 427 E. Laurel St., was struck by one of three shots fired at the residence of James Blake, 1309 Pearl St. Blake allegedly fired the shots, though the events leading up to the incident are still in question.

According to Prescott Police Chief Brian Russell, officers received a 911 call around 9:50 p.m. That call was quickly followed by an additional call from a concerned citizen, Russell said.

The officers responded to what apparently began as a dispute at the residence. Applegate was shot in the leg, according to Russell. He was taken to Hempstead Memorial Hospital before being transferred to the University of Arkansas Hospital at Little Rock. Russell said he understood that Applegate underwent surgery but the injury was not life-threatening. He has reportedly been released.

Russell said the state police have been called in on the investigation, and that no arrests or determinations have yet been made in the case.

In unrelated police activity this week, Russell said the officers are investigating a theft of property that occurred on Sept. 7.

Jerrye Leveritt, 53, 111 Blissful Lane, Mena, was arrested on Sept. 5 after officers discovered two marijuana cigarettes in her possession. Leveritt was stopped by PPD Officer Larry Miller because of a faulty brake light. Leveritt was arrested and taken to the Nevada County Jail.

On Sept. 1, Johnny Lee Mauldin, 28, 2659 Highway 19 N., was arrested for driving while intoxicated. According to a police report by PPD Officer Aaron Easley, Mauldin was driving a truck with expired tags when he was stopped. He also had a suspended drivers license and no proof of insurance.

Easleys report indicates that Mauldin failed field sobriety tests and was taken to Nevada County Jail. Hes been assigned a court date of Oct. 11.