Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Two Arrested For Rock Throwing

Throwing rocks landed two Prescott men in jail last weekend.

According to Jim Westmoreland, criminal investigator with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office and Prescott Police Department, Michael E. Cottingham, 22, and a 17-year-old youth were arrested for throwing rocks off overpasses along Interstate 30 early Monday morning.

Westmoreland said the two apparently began tossing the rocks from overpasses shortly before midnight Sunday, Dec. 22, targeting diesel trucks with their efforts.

About 13 trucks were struck by the rocks, with one of the stones breaking through a windshield and striking the driver, Steve Wright, in the chest. Wright, who drives for Akin and Porter Trucking of Greenfield, Tenn., also suffered cuts on his right arm from the broken glass.

The duo tossed the rocks from overpasses at Nubbin Hill, Washington Road and 5-Way Market before they were finally caught.

After getting reports of stones being thrown from bridges on I-30, Deputy Wayne Kisselburg and ASP Trooper Marty Glann responded and apprehending the two.

Cottingham has been charged with criminal mischief in the first degree and aggravated assault. He faces possible other charges as a weapon was found in the vehicle he was in.

The 17-year-old was released to his parents, pending being charged as an adult with aggravated assault and criminal mischief in the first degree.

Cottingham has been released on $10,000 bond.

MAN STABBED

A domestic argument led to a man being stabbed Saturday, Dec. 21.

Westmoreland said the PPD responded to an ambulance call on West Main, the home of Dwight Johnson, 33, and his wife, Sandra, 44. Officers Sgt. Tyrone Butler, Joey Grayson and Joey Beaver found Johnson with a stab wound to his lower back at the time, with the wound being made with a butter knife.

He said it was the result of an argument with his wife, who stabbed him. Johnson was taken to Medical Park Hospital in Hope where he was treated and released.

His wife was not home when the officers arrived, but was arrested later Saturday when she returned to her house.

She was taken to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office for questioning, and faced charges of second degree battery, a class D felony.

She was released on a $2,500 bond.

BAD CHECK

Passing bad paper landed a Texas man in jail in Nevada County.

Westmoreland said Khalin Callaway, 33, of Texas, was returned to Prescott from Hardin County, Kentucky where he had been arrested for driving while under the influence, and driving a pickup reported as being stolen.

Callaway had bought the truck from John Glass, giving him a rubber check for the amount on Nov. 28.

By the time Glass learned the check was no good, Callaway had left the county, allegedly taking property belonging to a neighbor and his landlord as well. These items included a microwave oven and air conditioner.

He was arrested for DWI in Kentucky, where officers learned of the outstanding warrants in Nevada County.

After Callaway served his time for DWI in Kentucky, he was returned to Prescott, where he faces charges of violating the Arkansas Hot Check Law, as well as theft of property.