Audio Recordings From Two Bryant PD Officers Detail Captain Nate Johnston’s Interference With Investigation Of Incident At Burks Brothers Bar
Feb 9, 2026
I have written four articles pertaining to the termination of Detective Shanna Hastings from the Bryant PD….This is #5.
That termination centers around concerns of unethical behavior by Johnston, brought forward to Chief Carl Minden by Hastings.
The concerns are in regard to his relationship with the Burks Brothers Brewery bar and the Bandido Motorcycle gang.
The Bar is owned by Dr. Jessie Burks who is a Bandido and is used as a hangout and meeting place by the gang.
Records I have provided in previous articles show that Johnston, who has become known as the “Bryant Bandido Cop”, through his actions and those relationships, has indeed violated Bryant PD Policies.
Those records validate Hastings’ concerns, yet she was terminated by Minden for bringing them under the guise of insubordination.
Now we have new audio records that shed light on Johnston and further prove why Hastings’ concerns about him were justified.
One of Hastings’ concerns provided to Minden is that Johnston interfered with an investigation into an incident at the bar on January 26th, 2024.
Right at midnight that night, officers were called to the bar because of an ongoing fight, in which a man was held down by two bar staffers while another man was punching him in the face and head.
Sergeants Michael Peery and Caleb Stracener were interviewing a suspect when according to them Johnston interfered.
Both Peery and Stracener were interviewed by Sgt. Nick Dean as part of the so-called Administrative Inquiry into the concerns Hastings brought to Minden.
Peery was interviewed on July 7th, 2025, at 6:32pm.
During that interview Deans asked – “Okay, during that time when y’all were on scene and making arrests, did Captain (then Lieutenant) Johnston tell any of the suspects or did you hear him tell any of the suspects not to make a statement to the police?”
Peery replied – “Yes, I did.”
Peery and Stracener had a suspect in handcuffs in front of a patrol car asking him questions when Johnston approached them.
Peery stated – “Myself and Sergeant Stracener began asking him questions pertaining to the incident. And Captain, then Lieutenant, Johnston walked up and informed him that he did not need to say anything, and he needed to consult a lawyer. The guy then quit answering any questions we had.”
Peery went on to say – “As soon as it happened, I believe, I’m not sure the exact wording, but Sergeant Stracener looked at me and asked if our lieutenant had just interfered with that.”
Now there are a lot of questions as to how Dean conducted the inquiry and questioning of officers.
One of Hastings’ concerns about Johnston is that Peery had told her that he was a “liaison” between the Bandidos and the Bryant PD, yet Dean never asked Peery about that….So why would he not ?….Simple math there right ?
Stracener was interviewed on July 16th, 2025 at 12:48pm when Dean asked him about Johnston’s interference.
Stracener stated – “Once we were there on scene, we identified a subject that had struck another individual while he was on the ground.”
In reference to that suspect Stracener stated – “Lieutenant Johnston made some remark of just be quiet… Don’t say anything, just something in that regard to the suspect that was… we had detained after he physically assaulted another subject that was on scene. He was in hand, he was in hand restraints, and we were about to question him just as a formality on our side, just doing our investigation, talking to the subject.”
During Johnston’s interview he told Dean that he did not remember the incident. Dean provided Johnston the report who then stated – “Yeah, I vaguely remember this, but yeah.”
Dean then asked if Johnston knew the suspect, Colin Chapel Dane. Johnston answered with – “I know who he is, yeah.”…..Well isn’t that a fun fact to know.
Dean then asked Johnston – “During that call, when after Officer Peery and Sergeant Stracener had Mirandized him and was questioning him, did you tell him not to speak to the officers and seek an attorney?”
Johnston answered – “No”
Now you would think after Johnston gave the one-word answer “No”, Dean would press him on the issue….Not a chance….Dean then moved on with no more questions to Johnston about that incident.
It’s pretty easy to see that Dean was not interested in doing a deep dive into Johnston’s actions, which was supposedly the whole point of the inquiry right ?….I think by now we all know why.
All three interview recordings are attached at the end of the article.
Peery’s interview lasted 6 minutes 21 seconds while Stracener’s lasted 3 minutes 43 seconds. I hope you listen to both in their entirety to get the full context and understanding.
I have also included the audio of Johnston’s interview as well which is 5 minutes 31 seconds long.
His voice tone was all over the place and the phrase, “nervous as a whore in church”, comes to mind.
What else is very telling about this case is the length of the interviews.
Johnston’s, who was the supposed subject of the inquiry, interview times lasted a total of only 7 minutes 1 second.
Besides Johnston and Hastings, eight other officers were interviewed. The total time of their interviews combined totaled 35 minutes 5 seconds.
Hastings three interview times totaled 1 hour 20 minutes 6 seconds….That’s 40 minutes longer than the other nine combined.
Does anybody out there still believe that this inquiry was not really designed to go after Hastings for bringing the concerns ?….For following her ethics ?
I guess it’s possible someone does….I mean there are people who believe the world is flat right ?
#FactsNotFiction
Peery Interview
Stracener Interview
Johnston Interview
Professional Bully Fighter I investigate and report on issues around the State of Arkansas with an emphasis on Government. I am strong conservative however I bring Truth and Facts regardless of Party affiliation….My hashtag is #FactsNotFiction
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