Man accused of making terroristic threats toward an area schoolteacher

A Lockesburg, Ark., man has been arrested on a charge of terroristic threatening toward a De Queen, Ark., School District teacher in an incident occurring May 16, said De Queen Police Chief Scott Simmons.

John Carver, 43, of Lockesburg, was arrested after allegedly sending threatening text messages to his wife who teaches at the school, according to documents.

“The suspect informed the teacher he was coming to the school with a gun and he was coming to her classroom (De Queen Junior High School),” Simmons said.

Carver was scheduled to appear in the Sevier County Circuit Court Thursday in De Queen, but did not participate in his first appearance in court. Instead, Ashdown attorney Thad Bishop represented Carver.

Carver has been released from custody after posting 10 percent of the $50,000 bond, which is $5,000, said a spokesperson from the Sevier County Circuit Clerk’s office.

Ninth Circuit Court Judge Tom Cooper set Thursday as the next court date for Carver to enter a plea.

Members of the De Queen Police Department, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department and the De Queen Fire Department responded and were prepared to lockdown the school if necessary, Simmons said. But the investigation determined the suspect was not in the De Queen area.

Simmons said officers remained on the scene until they were sure of the suspect’s location.

About 1 p.m. May 16, the Arkansas State Police and the Bentonville Police Department were informed the suspect was in a motel in Bentonville. He was taken into custody about 2 p.m. May 16.

Officers had school officials lock all exterior doors to the schools while they searched for Carver

“At no time were any students in danger. We take threats toward the school very seriously,” Simmons said.