SEX OFFENDER ARRESTED AFTER SERVICE OF SEARCH WARRANT

     
                  Jeffrey John Harris

     A level 3 sex offender (high risk to re-offend), JEFFREY JOHN HARRIS, who is registered with the Baxter County Sheriff's Office, was arrested today, June 17th, after deputies served a search warrant at his residence in the Clarkridge area.

    Deputies were at his residence Tuesday, June 16th, to conduct a compliance check.  During that conversation with HARRIS, deputies felt that HARRIS was being evasive and not providing truthful information with respect to vehicles registered to him and other matters that deputies were inquiring about.  

     After leaving the residence yesterday, Deputy Tanner Anderson, who is the sex offender registration coordinator, made inquiries with the Baxter County Tax Assessor's Office and found that HARRIS owns two motor vehicles, one motorcycle, and one trailer that he had not reported to the Sheriff's Office during the sex offender registration and re-assessment processes, which is in violation of the law.  

     Based upon this information, a search warrant was obtained to search the residence and premises, and the warrant was served this morning.  During the search, deputies found eleven firearms and ammunition, as well as several electronic devices, all of which were seized and taken into evidence.  Being a convicted felon, HARRIS is prohibited by Arkansas law from possessing or owing firearms.   

              Seized firearms

     JEFFREY JOHN HARRIS, 77 years of age, was placed under arrested and transported to the Baxter County Detention Center.  He was booked on charges of:

Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration and Reporting Requirements - Felony
Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons (convicted felon), 11 counts - Felonies

     A further background investigation found that HARRIS had registered to vote with the Baxter County Clerk's Office and had in fact voted in Baxter County in 2024, despite being ineligible to vote as a convicted felon.  This evidence has resulted in an additional charge:

Ineligible Person Casting a Vote - Felony

     HARRIS is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond, and he will appear before the Baxter County Circuit Court to answer on June 22, 2026.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff