Last Updated on October 31, 2022
The Democratic nominee for Arkansas Auditor of State, Diamond Arnold-Johnson, 32, was arrested by the Little Rock Police Department (LRPD) and charged with terrorist threatening, a Class D felony, on Friday.
Arnold-Johnson recorded a livestreamed of her arrest after she allegedly threatened a circuit judge.
In August 2022, Arick Johnson, the husband of Diamond Arnold-Johnson, was on trial for terroristic threatening, but when she admitted during the trial it was she who wrote the Facebook posts in question, LRPD detectives issued an arrest warrant for her on October 13th.
The DNC nominee for Arkansas State Auditor refused to comply with the warrant and a call for a SWAT team was issued before a decision was made to serve a non-violent warrant.
It is not the first time Arnold-Johnson has had encounters with law enforcement.
In March 2021, she was arrested and charged with careless driving, attempting to influence a public servant, fleeing, and possession of marijuana.
On August 31, 2021, Arnold-Johnson’s home was searched by LRPD.
“The Democratic Party of Arkansas made a statement about the latest arrest of Arnold-Johnson on Friday.
“Earlier today, we were made aware that Diamond Arnold-Johnson was arrested by Little Rock Police. 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.”
A $30,000 surety bond was set by the presiding judge over the case.
Simeon Snow, the Libertarian Nominee for Arkansas State Auditor, issued a statement on the arrest of his opponent on Friday.
“I do regret what her family and close friends are experiencing with this recent news and it might be in everyone’s best interest that she drop out of the race. I think if voters will actually do an internet search on all of the candidates and visit their social media pages and research them, they will find who is most qualified for the job of state auditor,” Snow (L) said.
There’s actually a lot more interesting news articles and investigative journalist stories that voters should be aware of,” Snow (L) added.
Dennis Milligan, the Republican Nominee for Arkansas State Auditor and current Arkansas Treasurer, also commented on the arrest of Arnold-Johnson on Friday.
“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. Rather, their time and energy would benefit more from focusing on their and their spouses legal morass [sic.],” Milligan said.
“In our debate on Arkansas PBS and in her written responses to the Democrat Gazette, Mrs. Arnold-Johnson talks about being ‘transparent and ethical.’ Where was her ethic or transparency in not coming forward and telling the citizens of Arkansas of her past involvement with law enforcement and past convictions?” Milligan asked.
“As a former reserve deputy sheriff and Saline County Clerk, I have worked with the legal court systems. I back the blue – not just in slogan but in real life. The citizens of Arkansas need someone they can trust to work with our state’s judges and prosecuting attorneys,” he said.
“Mrs. Arnold-Johnson needs to withdraw from the race for State Auditor immediately and apologize to the citizens of Arkansas for her behavior. Moreover, the Democrat Party of Arkansas needs to fully distance themselves from her as a candidate for office,” Milligan added.
The is November 8th and early voting is already well underway.
