Dumas: Sexual Solicitation Of A Minor
Social media posts alleging an arrest of a sex offender in Dumas? Confirmed.
Dumas still buzzed Monday afternoon about the incidents surrounding an alleged sex offender that occurred last week.
That's when Shanina Gunn posted on Facebook about a note left in Dumas’ McDonald's that was slipped to her 16-year-old son, who works at the restaurant, by a stranger — the man in the picture below.
The alleged writer of the handwritten letter on notebook paper was Bryan Pringle. Gunn's son immediately notified his mother who sped to McDonald's. The man was gone but Gunn raced to find him. First, she checked the motel next door but then a worker at McDonald's informed her he may be at another nearby motel.
Since the man left the room number on his note, Gunn went and banged on the motel door. No one answered. She banged again. That time he answered. She said Pringle looked freshly showered and shaved with nicks on his face from what she believed was from a razor. She said one arm of his eyeglasses had a large Band-Aid wrapped around it.
“I said, ‘Did you just approach my son at McDonald's?’ He said, ‘Yeah.’ I said, “For what?’ He said, ‘I was trying to see if he wanted a job. I said, “Mother Fucker he he has a fucking job. Why would you approach a kid? He said, ‘I haven't done anything wrong.’ I said, ‘Hold that thought.’ I got my phone and called the police.”
Gunn said Pringle went back into the motel room, put on his shoes and started walking. She walked behind him while describing him to police dispatch. White male. Bald. Red shirt. Glasses.
“We’re going behind the Piggly Wiggly parking lot, now we're behind the Piggly Wiggly parking lot and then we are in front of Bottom Realty,” Gunn said. “I follow him then the police show up.”
Pringle, 53, was arrested and now faces two charges:
Code 5-70-107 sexual solicitation of a minor/offer or agree to except fee purpose of sexual activity
Code 12-12-904 fail, comply child sex offender report
A police officer told Gunn last week not to worry that Pringle will not bond out because he doesn't have any money.
“I say, then how's he affording the motel room?” Gunn asked.
It's unclear where Pringle maintains a home address but people in Dumas say he is not from their small Southeast Arkansas town.
Since the incident Gunn said many people have told her that they have seen Pringle around town including at the Big Banjo Pizza and Mad Butcher. If any other citizens of Dumas or surrounding areas have had unsolicited contact with Pringle, they should contact the Dumas Police Department at 870-382-5511.
In today's fast-paced world of social media coupled with the lack of confidence in Arkansas media, many Arkansans rely on social media platforms to keep up-to-date on what's happening in their communities. In reality social media posts are often just as unreliable as the mainstream media. South Arkansas Reckoning investigates to report news based on facts amd documents.
We had seen Gunn's post about the incident several times in our Facebook feed. We contacted the Dumas Police Department late last week and asked for a copy of the police report. A woman at the police department said it wasn't available.
Because of the nature of information circulating across social media, Suzi drove to Dumas on Monday to request the report in person. She faced resistance in the Dumas Police Department. Two women said there was no incident report or witness statements.
Richard, who was on assignment in another part of the state, called Dumas mayor, Price Eugene Boney, Sr., also known as “Bubba”.
After a brief discussion with the mayor, Dumas Police Chief Keith Finch, who was in the mayor's office at the time, was put on the phone with Richard.
Finch stated the report was ready and available at the police station. Finch further explained that the Dumas Police Department requires a $10 fee for police reports. Suzi was able to obtain the report.
During the interview with Gunn, Suzi learned, in fact, the officer lost his original notebook with facts from the day of the incident. Gunn met the officer again and gave a second report.
We anticipate a follow-up story on the city of Dumas concerning the $10 fee required to obtain the police report. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, public officials may only charge the actual cost of reproduction for public records.
As always, South Arkansas Reckoning brings you stories that affect small towns throughout Arkansas. Although Pringle has not been convicted of the charges, parents and citizens have a right to know when allegations of sexual solicitation of a minor occurs in the town where they live. South Arkansas Reckoning is dedicated to informing Arkansans.
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