Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – Court documents state that an ongoing dispute within a group text message culminated in a violent brawl involving over 20 people, leading to a Jonesboro teen’s arrest.

District Judge David Boling found probable cause June 15 to charge 18-year-old Torrence Tavarion Spinks with the following offenses:

• Aggravated riot (Class D felony)
• Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (Class A misdemeanor)
• Possession of a Schedule VI substance less than four ounces (Class A misdemeanor)

According to the probable cause affidavit, on June 10, Jonesboro police officers were dispatched to a fight involving unknown weapons at a location southeast of Paragould Dr. and Prospect Rd. While en route, dispatch advised that multiple gunshots had been heard during the 911 call and that a black SUV remained at the scene.

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Upon arrival, officers noticed the SUV stopped on a residential street in the area. Several people involved in the incident were seen collecting items that had been left on the road during the fight. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the SUV and detained several occupants, noting some were sweating heavily and had visible injuries consistent with a physical altercation.

While searching the subjects, officers found a small container with marijuana in the pocket of Spinks. Officers then asked if any weapons were inside the vehicle and were told that there was a firearm present. A handgun was found in the vehicle with a round chambered and the magazine missing. Additional units arrived, and officers soon found the missing magazine, which still contained live ammunition. Police theorized it may have been ejected during the fight.

The subjects were transported to the Jonesboro Police Department for interviews. During the investigation, officers learned that between 20 and 30 people, including juveniles, were involved in the incident and that gunshots had been fired by other participants.

They also learned that the confrontation stemmed from an ongoing dispute in a group text message. Participants in the altercation used the group chat to arrange the fight and shared a location pin directing individuals to the meeting location.

During an interview, Spinks admitted to possessing the firearm, saying that he carried it for protection. He added that the magazine had ejected from the handgun during the incident but that he had not fired any rounds from it.

Based on witness statements, video evidence, and Spinks’ admission, he was arrested and booked into the Craighead County Detention Center, where he is being held on a $150,000 cash/surety bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 30. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to eight years in prison and fines up to $15,000.

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