Columbia County Sheriff’s Office

05/13/2026

05/11/2026

Honoring All that have given the Ultimate Sacrifice and beyond!!!

05/07/2026

Columbia County Detention Facility is seeking applicants for jailers. We have an immediate openings for male jailers. Must be 18 years of age with high school diploma or equivalent, be able to pass background check, drug screening and psychological evaluation. This position does require shift work, including nights, weekends, and some holidays.
You may pick up applications here at the sheriff’s office at 82 Columbia 300 during regular business hours, Monday - Thursday 8:00 - 4:30 PM, and Friday 8: 00 - 3:30 PM.

04/15/2026

04/15/2026

Press Release March 2026 monthly totals

***Monthly Press Release for Columbia County totals for March 2026***

In continuation of transparency in The Columbia County Sheriff Office, we will be providing a monthly report from our office that is also provided to the JPs for Quorum Court that takes place on the second Monday at 5pm on the square. The items listed are from the totals that are calculated from all activities of that month.
Columbia County Sheriff Office J.P. Report ending
March 31, 2026

Fines Collected for Municipal Court- $41,819.38

Fines Collected For Circuit - $2936.85

Circuit bonds collected with 10% going to county-

Civil Court fees collected $2133.22

Restitution collected for victims- $2358.00

Executions collected-

Restitution for Housing prisoners-

Total number of Detainees
Month-74 year to date: 245

Males: 67 Year to date 224
Females:7 Year to date 21

Total number of days 2176
Year to date 6568

Daily average 79
Year to date 248

Total number of meals served 7110

Year to date 22,320

Transported to ADC-15
Year to Date 18

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ADC Billing/ ACC Billing

Balance at the beginning of month

Billed this month ADC $24,120.00
Billed this month ACC $400.00

Paid this month ADC-
Paid this month ACC-

Balance at the end of the month -

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Jail Population for March 31, 2026

Total population
Males-67
Females-7

Un-revoked Parole Violators
Males-3
Females-0

Sentenced to ADC
Males-7
Females-0

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Sheriff Office Stats

Warrants Service: 30
Citations issued: 27
Civil Process: 40

Building Checks/ Store Closing: 798

Calls for service: 120

Warnings: 27

K9Deployments/Hours 3/25

DroneDeployments/Hours 1/5

Sheriff Leroy Martin

03/31/2026

We are writing this statement to address some incorrect information circulating on social media involving an incident at the Columbia County Jail last month.

The clip you may have seen online is an edited and incomplete version of what actually happened. We want to set the record straight about what happened.

Here are the facts:

The inmate in question, Joseph Lowe Jr., is being held at our jail on co***ne and gun charges. During his time in custody, Lowe was repeatedly confrontational. He was caught smoking in his cell, and when a jail administrator confiscated his lighter, he screamed at her and got in her face. That behavior earned him a move to a segregation unit. On multiple occasions after that, Lowe ignored staff and refused to return to his cell after his free time.

On February 25th, Mr. Lowe again refused to comply and return to his cell after his free time. Mr. Lowe covered his cell camera and continued to disobey staff when ordered to return to his cell. Our jail administrator actually came in on her day off to try to talk to him and de-escalate the situation. But Lowe continued to refuse to follow the rules.

While the jail administrator tried to get him to listen, Lowe spat directly in her face.

She then deployed pepper spray to try to get him to comply, which is a reasonable use of force in that situation. Lowe then viciously attacked her, punching her multiple times while fighting with other deputies, before he was brought under control.

Our jail administrator tried very hard to de-escalate an unnecessary situation with this inmate. But he spat in her face and attacked her, and he assaulted two other employees in the process.

Lowe was charged with aggravated assault for spitting on and attacking jail staff.

While the legal case is pending, the prosecutor has asked us not to release further footage. We respect the prosecutor’s request not to release the video.

We ask you to reserve judgment until more of the video is released, which we believe will provide much more clarity about the incident.

03/12/2026

UPDATE:
DUE TO A SCHEDULING CONFLICT THE CHURCH DISTURBANCE TRAINING SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, MARCH 30TH HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

CHURCH DISTURBANCE TRAINING
MONDAY, MARCH 30TH, 6:00 PM
COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE COURTROOM, MAGNOLIA, ARKANSAS

As a response to the growing concern of local church disruptions, we are hosting a free church disturbance training event for the public. This event will focus on strategies for addressing disruptions and disturbances during church services and events, whether they originate from within the congregation or external sources. This training will last approximately one hour. All churches are welcome to attend.

For registration or additional information, please contact Heather at 870-235-3747 or via email at [email protected].

03/12/2026

Thursday, March 19th 9:00-12:00. Come out and donate blood with us!

03/02/2026

CHURCH DISTURBANCE TRAINING
MONDAY MARCH 9TH 7:00 PM
COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE COURTROOM
MAGNOLIA ARKANSAS
Join us for church disturbance training. This will cover how to handle disruptions/disturbances during church services and events. These disturbances can happen within the congregation or from outside interference. Training will last approximately one hour. All churches are invited to attend. If you would like more information or have questions you may call Heather at 870-235-3747 or email [email protected]

02/25/2026

*SCAM ALERT*
We have had multiple reports of scammers contacting citizens in reference to owed moneys because the citizen missed court dates, jury duty, owes fines, has old warrants, or is even a s*x offender. We WILL NEVER ask for money via bitcoin or any other provider BESIDES the ones listed on our website or coming in person to pay.

If you receive a call about this, please don't send any money. If you're still unsure, contact our office at (870) 234-5331. Someone will be willing to help you. If we are unable to get back to you immediately, it is okay! We will get back to you. Again, please do not send any money.