FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office

Contact: Sheriff Kevin Molder

For More Information: (870) 578-5411 or kevin.molder@poinsettcounty.us 

(02/09/2018, Poinsett County, Arkansas) 

Deputies with the Poinsett County Sheriff Department executed a warrant late Friday afternoon at 7452 Tate Ln outside of Harrisburg.  The search warrant stemmed from a report made Wednesday afternoon in which a female reported that she had been held captive at that residence for approximately 3 days by a Hispanic male identified as Leonel Cruz, 41. Mr. Cruz used physical force, threat of death, and even the victim’s 1 year old daughter as collateral to make sure that she didn’t leave. The subsequent investigation identified a second victim in a related incident. Both victims escaped under different circumstances. 

Deputies found three males in the house, as well as, liquid Morphine, liquid Versed, and various paraphernalia used to ingest methamphetamine. 

The search warrant netted Leonel Cruz for 2 counts of Kidnapping, Terroristic Threatening, and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia all felonies.  Mr. Cruz similarly has active warrants for Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Battery, Criminal Threating, Domestic Battery, and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor out of Pottawatomie County, Kansas.

Other charges are expected to be filed in regards to this investigation. 

Sheriff Kevin Molder