Izard County inmate faces multiple felony charges after two-day jail incident

A 30-year-old man already in custody is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities say he assaulted jail staff, damaged county property, and attempted to escape during a series of incidents inside the Izard County jail.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Izard County Circuit Court, Darren Burton, of Searcy, is charged with assault, battery, criminal mischief, theft of property, impairing the operation of a vital public facility, criminal attempt to escape, and second-degree escape. Prosecutors allege the incidents occurred over two days in early February.

The affidavit states that on the morning of Feb. 6, maintenance workers were checking plumbing in an area known as “A pod” when Burton, who was housed in a nearby cell, began throwing papers and spraying liquid through the food pass opening. Jail staff who entered the pod were also struck by food and liquid, creating slippery and hazardous conditions on the floor.

Officials say Burton resisted staff efforts to move him into an isolation cell and later damaged fixtures inside the cell, including a light, sink, door window, and a fire sprinkler head, causing flooding. Broken items were allegedly thrown into the booking area, damaging equipment, including a computer monitor. Authorities estimate the damage exceeded $1,000.

The following morning, investigators say Burton grabbed a medication signature device from a jailer and ran from his cell into the booking area, where he broke additional items before being subdued. During the incident, a jailer was knocked down and suffered injuries that required emergency room treatment. The device was damaged beyond repair, and officials say additional damage exceeded $1,000.

Burton was later accused of breaking another sprinkler head in his cell, causing further flooding.

Court records show Burton is being held on a $100,000 bond.

Burton has been incarcerated at the jail since November on charges that include theft of property and fraudulent use of a communications device. His bond for those charges was set at $25,000.

Darren Burton

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