Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – April 29, 2024 – A Clarksville, Tennessee, man is behind bars after a judge found probable cause to charge him with four felonies and three misdemeanors in relation to a car chase Friday, April 26.
Edward Gene Huff, 52, reportedly stole a Jeep Cherokee out of Jonesboro and was traveling on U.S. 63 northbound toward Sedgwick when Craighead County deputies attempted to pull him over at U.S. 63 and Craighead Road 398. As deputies approached the vehicle, Huff suddenly accelerated and sped off, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Once deputies arrived at Sedgwick, Huff drove at a high rate of speed through several residential yards and a nearby field before turning eastbound on Highway 228, the affidavit said. Deputies notified the Arkansas State Police, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the state Highway Patrol to assist.
Huff then turned eastbound on U.S. 412 and state police and Greene County deputies set up a roadblock to keep the vehicle away from Greene County Tech. Huff pulled into a wooded area to avoid the roadblock. Huff stopped the vehicle and fled on foot before he was captured and taken into custody.
After being restrained, Huff told officers his name was Butch Stephens and that he was from Kentucky. After discovering his true identity, it was found that he had warrants out of Tennessee and Maryland. Methamphetamine was found inside of the vehicle as well as a pipe and hydrocodone pills.
NEA Report posted dash cam footage from the incident here.
District Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause to charge Huff with fleeing, possession of a Schedule I or II drug not meth or cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia, all class D felonies, theft by receiving greater than $25,000, a class B felony. He was also charged with obstructing governmental operations, resisting arrest and fleeing, all class A misdemeanors.
Fowler set Huff’s bond at $100,000, noting Huff had a long criminal history, isn’t from the area and lying about his identity.
Huff’s next court date is June 26 in Craighead County Circuit Court.
