Fulton County Sheriff Jake Smith says in a statement that information leaked may have hampered double homicide investigation.
Sheriff Smith says a BOLO released contained sensitive information to the case and also stands by his original claim that the public was not in danger.
From Sheriff Smith:
As sheriff of Fulton County, the health and safety of our citizens and this community are my top priority. I would like to address confusion surrounding information released during the early stages of Oct. 21, double homicide in Fulton County.
Early in the investigation, a BOLO (be on the lookout) was issued through ACIC to law enforcement. The BOLO, which contained highly sensitive and confidential investigative facts and information about a person of interest, was not authorized or intended for public release. Information from the BOLO was unlawfully released to a local media outlet, which published confidential information, directly hampering the investigation.
Law enforcement officials routinely limit the public release of information in ongoing investigations to preserve the integrity of cases, to prevent the destruction or concealment of evidence and to thwart subjects involved in investigations from eluding law enforcement.
I want to reassure the public that investigators with my office, and Arkansas State Police, agreed that there was no elevated risk to the public that would necessitate the public release of information about the person of interest in this case.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Information will be released by the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division when it is deemed appropriate.
As your sheriff, my focus will remain on honoring Tonya and Ashley Stallings by doing what is necessary to provide answers to their family and bring their killer to justice.
The statement was part of an ASP release.
The investigation into the Oct. 21, double homicide in Fulton County is active and ongoing. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office asked the Arkansas State Police (ASP) to investigate the deaths. All information will be released by the ASP Criminal Investigation Division when it is deemed appropriate.