RISON - A jury in Cleveland County Circuit Court on Tuesday afternoon found Timothy Sled, 39, of Kingsland, guilty of two felony charges for shooting a hole in the water tank at Kingsland last year.
Sled was ordered to pay $10,000 in fines and $5,000 in restitution for shooting the tank last May.
The shot went through a silhouette of Kingsland native and American music icon Johnny Cash that had been painted onto the side of the newly refurbished tank. The shot resulted in a steady stream of water flowing from the tank for nearly a week, making it look as though the silhouette was urinating.
Online video of the incident went viral, and Kingsland found itself in headlines across the country and even around the world.
Sled was arrested by the Cleveland County Sheriff's Department on May 16, 2022, and charged with criminal mischief (Class D felony) and impairing the operation of a vital public utility (Class C felony). He was released on $5,000 bond.
Cleveland County Clerk Brandy Herring said a jury found Sled guilty of both felony counts after deliberating for about 8 minutes late Tuesday afternoon. Sled must pay a $5,000 fine for each felony charge plus another $5,000 in restitution for the damage to the water tank.
Herring said sentencing for Sled is scheduled for April 11.
Under Arkansas law, a Class C felony carries a penalty of three to 10 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000. A Class D felony carries a penalty of zero to six years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.
Betty Graham, office manager for the Kingsland Water Department, told the
after the shooting last year that she could hear the water pouring onto the ground when she arrived at work at about 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. She said it was only after the sun came up later that morning that she realized it was coming from tank itself.
Graham estimated the city was losing about...
To access content, please login or purchase a subscription.