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Shop NowA candidate for statewide office in Arkansas, Democrat Diamond Arnold-Johnson has been arrested for allegedly making terroristic threats.
On Friday, Arnold-Johnson, who is 32 years old, and is currently running to be the state auditor of Arkansas, was arrested while conducting a Facebook Live. According to local news reports, Arnold-Johnson had an outstanding warrant for first-degree terroristic threatening. This is a Class D felony.
The Arkansas Times reported that, two months ago, Arnold-Johnson’s husband, Arick Johnson, who is 36 years old, went on trial for terroristic threats. This was based on some unidentified Facebook messages that had been attributed to him. However, during the court proceedings, Diamond testified that she was the one to make the threats, not her husband. Her confession resulted in his acquittal.
What she claimed to have done prompted further investigation into the threats. Police obtained a warrant for her arrest and attempted to serve her on October 13. However, reports claim that Arnold-Johnson supposedly refused. Rather than “escalate a non-violent situation” for “a non-violent warrant,” several officers from the Little Rock Police Department decided to serve her again on Friday. She apparently locked herself in a bathroom. Eventually, Arnold-Johnson opened the door and cooperated with the officers.
Diamond Arnold-Johnson was booked in the Pulaski County jail on a $30,000 bond. It is unclear when she is expected to appear in court.
Let’s be clear, accusations of a felony cannot prevent Arnold-Johnson from running for state office. However, a felony conviction would prevent her from holding office. Should Arnold-Johnson win the election in November and later be convicted of the charges, she would likely be removed from office. If that were to happen a successor would be appointed by the governor.
The Democratic Party of Arkansas has already attempted to distance itself.
“Earlier today, we were made aware that Diamond Arnold-Johnson was arrested by Little Rock Police,” the party said in a statement. “Everyone has the right to due process; however, our Party firmly believes people must be held accountable for any criminal behavior, especially candidates for public office. The Democratic Party of Arkansas did not recruit her to run for Auditor of State, and we cannot bar her from running for this position. We remain focused on working for a better Arkansas and winning races across the state.”
One of Arnold-Johnson’s political opponents has called for her to drop out of the race.
“Anyone who has an active felony warrant for their arrest should not be running for office or handling the state’s very important financial business,” said Republican candidate Dennis Milligan. “Rather, their time and energy would benefit more from focusing on their’s (sic) and their spouse’s legal morass.”
