Jacksonville city council member Michael Dietz is now facing felony charges after an alleged DWI incident that happened after a school board meeting.
JACKSONVILLE, Ark. — Tensions reached a boiling point inside the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District (JNPSD) on Monday, following the termination of former principal Lindsay Jones.
The district has also been under intense scrutiny recently for its handling of allegations against custodian Harold Butchart, who is accused of sexually assaulting female students.
Jones had initially resigned in December and was placed on administrative leave through June.
However, JNPSD Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Owoh later recommended her termination, a move which the school board approved during a packed and heated meeting.
Although the controversy did not end there.
After the vote, there was an altercation on the school grounds.
Video footage shows Jacksonville City Council member Mike Dietz, who is Jones’ father, arriving at the meeting and later being accused of driving while intoxicated.
Dietz was seen behind the wheel of a vehicle and now faces charges for aggravated assault, refusal to submit to arrest, driving while intoxicated, and refusal to submit to a chemical test.
The altercation on Friday was caught on camera by Assistant Superintendent Bobby Lester’s phone.
This situation comes after months of tension between Dietz, his daughter Lindsay Jones, and the JNPSD.
Jones ultimately resigned following an incident regarding her supervisor at the district. Though this isn’t the first altercation that Jones’ family has had with district officials.
Superintendent Owoh described another altercation with a member of the district administration.
“That’s when her family members started to make crude comments and actually chased her, walked her down in the school, and Dr. Walker had to shut herself behind a locked door because of this,” Owoh described.
The district also claims that Jones violated the conditions of her administrative leave when she spoke to parents and staff at Bayou Meto Elementary School on December 11th, which the district said was the tipping point to go forward with Jones’ termination.
The video shot by Lester also captured Dietz threatening Lester moments before Dietz backed up his vehicle and drove it forward towards district officials, and then drove off.
We reached out to the school district, and they declined an on-camera interview, but they did send the following statement:
“The Jacksonville North Pulaski School District is aware of an incident that occurred Friday evening following the conclusion of a school board meeting.
This is an unfortunate situation for everyone involved. At this time, the matter is under review by the appropriate authorities. District leaders are cooperating fully and have provided any requested information.
We are grateful that no one was injured, and the safety of our employees, board members, and community remains our top priority.
Because this is an ongoing matter, the district will not speculate or comment further at this time.”
Officials with the City of Jacksonville also provided the following statement in reference to the incident:
“The City of Jacksonville is aware of the arrest of a sitting City Councilmember on Friday evening following an incident that occurred after a Jacksonville North Pulaski School Board meeting.
According to law enforcement and arrest records, the individual was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated (DWI), refusal to submit to arrest, and refusal to submit to a chemical test.
As this is an active legal matter, the City will not provide further comment and will allow the judicial process to proceed accordingly.
The City of Jacksonville holds all elected officials to high standards of conduct. While this matter is unrelated to official City duties, we recognize the seriousness of the allegations and will allow the legal process to move forward without interference.
The City of Jacksonville remains committed to serving the residents of Jacksonville with integrity, transparency, and professionalism, and operations will continue as normal.”
Dietz did not respond to our request for comment. So far, he has pleaded not guilty to all four charges and is due back in court this May.