Batesville man accused of stabbing camper at Buffalo National River

SEARCY COUNTY, Ark. (KAIT) - A Batesville man faces multiple felony charges after investigators with the National Parks Service said he threatened several campers and stabbed a man at Buffalo National River.

According to court documents filed April 6, Justan Micheal Taylor, 37, is being held in the Searcy County Jail following his March 21 arrest on suspicion of the following:

• Battery in the first degree, a Class B felony
• Aggravated assault, a Class D felony
• Terroristic threatening in the first degree, a Class D felony
• Possession of drug paraphernalia-methamphetamine, a Class D felony
• Possession of a Schedule IV substance less than four ounces, a Class A misdemeanor
• Possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor
• Endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor
• Resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor
• Carrying a weapon with unlawful purpose, a Class A misdemeanor
• Disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor

Threats and stabbing at campground

On the evening of March 21, NPS Officer Jacob Holm responded to Woolum Campground regarding a man threatening to shoot nearby campers. While en route, Searcy County Dispatch advised that Taylor had stabbed a man at the campground.

When Holm arrived, he found that an off-duty Arkansas Game and Fish Commission warden and another camper had restrained Taylor with zip ties and were holding him at gunpoint.

After placing Taylor in handcuffs, Holm said he appeared to be intoxicated and was yelling loudly.

At least six campers reported Taylor had threatened to harm them. One camper said Taylor was upset about how close they had set up their campsite.

“The camper reported that Taylor threatened to shoot them and reached into his cooler to retrieve something,” Holm said. “Fearing for their safety, the camper gathered his party and left the area.”

Another camper said Taylor placed his hand on his knife located on his hip and asked, “Do you want to start something?”

Video captures stabbing

Holm said in the court documents that a camper provided video of Taylor standing face-to-face with another man, arguing.

“The video then depicts shoving, followed by Taylor drawing a fixed-blade knife from his hip,” Holm said. “Although the footage is unsteady, a red circular spot can be seen appearing on the torso of the individual Taylor was arguing with.”

Multiple witnesses reported seeing Taylor stab the victim, the affidavit said.

Holm spoke with two children, ages 8 and 10, who were in a tent just a few feet away from the altercation.

“We were really scared because they bumped into the tent,” Holm said the children told him. “We were crying at first, but we were trying to be brave.”

Suspect resisted arrest

When Holm attempted to place Taylor into his patrol vehicle, he said Taylor refused to comply and resisted by tensing his muscles and stiffening his body.

It took Holm and several responding Arkansas State Police troopers to place Taylor into an ASP patrol vehicle.

After learning that Taylor is a parolee with a valid search waiver on file, NPS Officer James Morrissey searched Taylor’s campsite and found two pipes that tested positive for methamphetamine, the affidavit said. During an interview the following day, Holm said Taylor admitted the pipes belonged to him.

Holm said they also found a pipe containing marijuana, a mirror with marijuana residue, a green package containing approximately 1.26 grams of marijuana and rolling papers among Taylor’s belongings.

In his affidavit of indigency, Taylor stated he was unemployed and on the run from the law for nearly a year, adding that he owed five other counties approximately $20,000.

During his arraignment on April 7, a circuit judge ordered Taylor to appear for a pretrial hearing on May 4. He must also submit to random drug screenings and have no contact with the Fayetteville man he’s accused of stabbing.

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