Forrest City Coach With Gun Part II…Uncovering The Cover Up

On December 26^th I brought you the story of Forrest City School District Coach Kobe Wilson being caught with a gun while coaching a game in West Memphis.

https://arkansas1st.com/state/forrest-city-freshman-basketball-coach-armed-with-gun-while-coaching-game-cover-up-fails/

There are so many aspects to this story other than Coach Wilson violating criminal law and his stupidity….yeah….I said stupidity.

We have Circuit Judge Dion Wilson, the West Memphis PD, the West Memphis School District and the Forrest City School District.

Today I am going to address Judge Wilson and the WMPD with a follow up article coming on the West Memphis and Forrest City School Districts involvement.

1^st Judicial Circuit Judge Dion Wilson

Judge Wilson is the father of the gun carrying Coach Kobe Wilson. He is a Circuit Judge for Cross, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, Saint Francis and Woodruff Counties.

Before I wrote the original story, multiple sources in West Memphis and Forrest City, contacted me stating that Judge Wilson intervened on his son’s behalf while Officers were questioning him at the game on December 5^th.

I did not mention the Judge’s relationship with Coach Wilson in the original article because I didn’t think it fair to do so without giving him a chance to give a statement.

I emailed Judge Wilson on December 23^rd, before writing the original article, telling him what I was informed of and asking him for a statement. He responded with “On vacation.” On December 30^th I emailed him again stating that I was writing a follow up to the original and giving him another opportunity to provide a statement. I got the same response….”On vacation.”

While I have yet to confirm and prove Judge Wilson’s involvement, the fact is that he is an elected Circuit Judge who has now twice refused to provide a statement of any kind on the matter. That in its self raises questions in my mind to his involvement….Questions the WMPD can answer.

West Memphis PD

More disturbing than Coach Wilson’s irresponsible actions with the gun is the WMPD’s handling and coverup of the incident.

As I reported in the original article, Coach Wilson was not arrested as he should have been and there was no report made at the time the incident took place on December 5th, nor an investigation started into the matter.

It wasn’t until December 13^th, the day I began making inquiries, that the PD created an Incident Report….Did I also mention that it took the PD four days to provide me the two page report which violates law in the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act ?

As I reported in the original article, I requested Body Camera footage from the two Officers seen in the gym video. The WMPD replied to me that the footage does not exist.

On December 23^rd I emailed WMPD Chief Robbin Campbell asking him for a statement on the incident and why Coach Wilson was not arrested….As you have probably already guessed, I have not gotten a response.

As I stated in the original article, I followed up with a 2^nd FOI request to which the City Attorney, Michael Stephenson took the lead on….I don’t think anyone really needs to wonder why….I mean when criminals get caught, they lawyer up quick right ?

I received the response on December 30^th and it paints an even more corrupt picture than we already had.

Stephenson’s office has confirmed that five, not two, WMPD Officers were on scene responding to the incident. Officers Darrin Chase, Bryona Scott, Edward Mitchell, Manual Borjon and Tiwan Jackson, the Officer that made the Incident Report.

The Supervisor on shift, who Officer Jackson contacted, was Sgt. Steven Jackson which makes a total of six Officers working the incident yet the WMPD claims no Dispatch records exist for the incident….In what world is that believable?

The WMPD Body Camera usage policy provided to me in the response to the request mandates that Officers activate their cameras in instances such as this one yet the PD claims that no Body Camera footage exists for this incident….none.

So does the PD really expect us to believe that at least five Officers violated the Body Camera Policy by either (a) not wearing a Body Camera or (b) not turning them on ?….Sorry Chief Campbell….I can hear ya cluck’n but I can’t find your nest.

The answered questions along with the unanswered questions only create….more questions.

So, I have now submitted a third FOI request to Chief Campbell –

Here’s a fact…. when Body Camera footage is downloaded, a record of that download is created. When Body Camera footage is deleted, a record of that deletion is created as well….You see where I’m going with this ?

Something else you will find interesting. The WMPD originally did not create an Incident Report or initiate an investigation right? ….It was like the incident never happened.

On Friday December 27^th, the day after my original article came out, Stephenson emailed me stating – “The incident may still be under investigation.  We have a call in to the state prosecutor.”….Oh now you do !

That prosecutor is 2^nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Sonia Hagood. If you remember in the original article I stated _ “I will ask that Ms. Hagood send a request to the Arkansas State Police to do a full investigation and provide her their findings so that she may properly prosecute the crimes committed.”….Coincidence or Chief Campbell trying to cover his and the PD’s ass ?

The more I uncover, the worse it gets to the point we now have to question if AR Codes 5-53-111 Tampering With Evidence and 5-54-124 Tampering With Public Record come into play….Both of which are Class D Felonies.

Two things are no longer questionable.

1. The Incident was covered up.
2. That coverup failed.

But will there be accountability for Coach Wilson ?….And will there be accountability for everyone involved in the coverup ?

Much more to come on this and let me tell you right now…. the West Memphis and Forrest City School Districts are far from sinless in this attempted coverup.

#FactsNotFiction

#TeamPink

moc.oohayobfsctd-9443bd@nivac.eimmiJ

Jimmie Cavin

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