Jefferson County, Arkansas – The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is alerting residents to be on high alert after multiple citizens reported receiving suspicious phone calls from individuals falsely claiming to be members of law enforcement. These scammers are allegedly using the names of real deputies and officials in an attempt to deceive people into giving up money or personal information.
According to a statement released by the JCSO on April 23, 2025, the callers are telling individuals that they have missed a court date or failed to appear for jury duty and that there is now a warrant for their arrest. In some cases, the callers claim the person missed a court appearance as a witness in Judge Bridgforth’s courtroom. One common name being used is “Lieutenant Williams,” while others say they are “Deputy Johnson.”
“These phone calls are designed to scare people into paying money immediately,” the statement reads. “The scammers may sound official and even use the names of real officers, but their only goal is to trick you.”
The Sheriff’s Office made it very clear: “At no time will the JCSO call regarding missing a court date, missing jury duty, or being a witness. Neither will the Sheriff’s Office call any citizen about a warrant of arrest or a fine’s to be paid.”
Officials emphasized that residents should not share any personal or financial information over the phone. If a caller asks for credit card numbers, bank details, or requests that you buy gift or prepaid cards, it is almost certainly a scam.
“The whole purpose of these calls is to create panic,” the JCSO explained. “They want you to feel so afraid of being arrested that you’ll do whatever they say without questioning it.”
Those who receive one of these fraudulent calls are urged not to engage with the caller, and instead hang up immediately. The Sheriff’s Office also asks anyone who has been contacted in this way to report the incident to their Criminal Investigation Division by calling (870) 541-5496. If possible, residents should write down and report any phone number that appeared on their caller ID.
Law enforcement officials expressed gratitude to the members of the public who have already reported these scams. “We are thankful for those citizens calling and reporting these scams and our hopes are that no one will fall victim to them,” the statement concluded.
As these scams become increasingly sophisticated, the Sheriff’s Office encourages all residents to stay cautious and verify any suspicious communication. The public’s awareness and quick action can help prevent further fraud and protect the community from financial harm.
