Idol threat leads to arrest

  On March 13, the Searcy County Sheriff's Office received a call from Searcy County resident Julie Riegel concerning a dispute between herself and her boyfriend who resides with her. Riegel told the Searcy County dispatcher, Cari Seaton, she was upset because her boyfriend had given her renter permission to bring their dog into her residence. She stated her dog was pure bred and the other was not.

  Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell stated when the dispatcher attempted to calm Riegel and explain there would be no intervention by the sheriff's department in the matter, Riegel became upset and stated, "I'll just kill myself" and hung up the phone.

  Searcy County Chief Deputy Dewayne Pierce and Deputy Troy Dye went to Riegel's residence to follow up on her suicide threat and when they arrived on the scene learned that Riegel had left the residence. Approximately one hour later she returned and spoke to law enforcement and stated that she had become agitated about the neighbor's dog. She also stated when she learned there was nothing law enforcement would do about the dog, she threatened to harm herself. Law enforcement officials noticed the smell of alcohol on her breath.

  Riegel was arrested and taken to the Searcy County Detention Center where she was charged with communicating a false report and being under the influence of alcohol.