Newton County Sheriff Keith Slape said that a search warrant executed at the David Middleton residence in Mt. Judea also led to a search for Middleton who escaped wearing handcuffs. Officers from the Newton County Sheriff's Office , 14th Judicial Task Force, Boone County Sheriff's Office, Marion County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas Game and Fish, Arkansas State Police, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency conducted a search warrant at Middleton's residence. Middleton,53, and his wife, Rhonda, 48, were arrested at their home and when officers went to transport they found Middleton gone. Baxter County Sheriff's helicopter assisted in the search along with the bloodhound team from the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Middleton was located that evening. Middleton is being held in the Boone County Jail where he is charged with delivery of methamphetmine. a hold has been placed on him by the U.S. Marshall Service.

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