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Threat lands Harriet man in Custody

02/24/2019

derek neal ledbetter

Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell reported on February 21, 2019, Derek Neal Ledbetter, age 32,of Harriet was arrested following an interview with his office after he failed to meet with his probation officer in Mountain View.

During the interview, Ledbetter was questioned, and admitted he delivered a letter to a female stating he should have raped the woman when he had the chance.  This questioning came after an investigation was launched in reference to a Terroristic Threat made to the female victim in this case.

During the course of the interview, Ledbetter was asked why he continued to write letters to the victim. Ledbetter stated, "face to face was already illegal" since there had been a no contact order placed against him by the victim, but it had recently expired. He stated that he delivered the letter in question around midnight on February 15 to the victim's mailbox.

Ledbetter is currently being held in the Searcy County Detention Center on the following charges:  He is scheduled for a first appearance on February 25, 2019 in Searcy County Circuit Court.

Terroristic Threatening, 1st Degree, Class D felony; and

Harassing Communications, Class A misdemeanor.

Update: Following an appearance in Searcy County Circuit Court on February 25, his bond was set at $10,000.

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