On Saturday August 18, 2018 around 6:15pm, Cleburne County Deputies responded to the McJester Road Church for a report that a male and female had been beaten and robbed.  When deputies arrived, the two subjects were being treated for their injuries by first responders.  Both subjects were flown by helicopter to Little Rock for medical treatment.  They reported that they had been bound, beaten, and stabbed by several suspects. 

During an intensive and exhaustive investigation, Sheriff’s Office Detectives and Deputies, along with help from the US Marshall’s Office, arrested four people, and served a search warrant at one of the suspect’s houses to recover evidence used during the commission of the crime. 

The following subjects were arrested between August 18th and August 22nd, and all were charged with 2 counts of Aggravated Robbery, 2 counts of Kidnapping, 2 counts of Introduction of a Controlled Substance into the Body of Another, 2 counts of Terroristic Threatening, along with an enhancement for Engaging in a Violent Group Activity.

Sara Melvin, 31, of Wilburn

Billy Hillhouse, 48, of Wilburn

Shannon Wallingsford, 27, of Pangburn

Efren Torres, 31, of Heber Springs

                -Torres was also charged with an additional enhancement for being a habitual offender.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sheriff Chris Brown