The Shanna Hastings Story Chapter 3 – Bryant PD Captain Johnston…A Bandido Liaison ?

On December 12^th of last month, I brought you the story of Bryant PD Detective Shanna Hastings being terminated by Mayor Chris Treat at the recommendation of Chief Carl Minden.

Her termination centered around concerns she brought to Minden, as a Whistle Blower, about Patrol Captain Nathan Johnston.

Today we are going to take a look at how Hastings became concerned and what the concerns are.

In recent articles I have shown that Burks Brothers Brewery & Taproom in Bryant is, according to Bryant PD and the Arkansas Beverage Control Agency, a hangout and meeting place for the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang known as the Bandidos.

Records show that foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Jesse Burks, is the owner of that bar and a member of the Bandidos.

Now it is important to point out again that Johnston is the Patrol Captain for Bryant PD and is well aware of the Bandido criminal element at the Bar along with the Calls For Service to and Incidents happening there. Johnston himself has responded to and worked calls at the Bar.

Hastings’ concerns revolved around Johnston’s association with the Bar and the Bandidos. Those concerns heightened when Hastings was assigned a Battery case that took place at the bar on June 28^th of last year that involved Bandidos.

Before being assigned that case, Hastings was aware that Johnston frequented the Bar. It was and is also well-known that Johnston began a relationship with a bartender at the bar, Nicole D’Andrea, as far back as 2023.

According to social media, the two are still in a relationship along with a police incident report from last September showing that they lived together at Johnston’s home in Benton.

Social media photos also gave Hastings concerns especially showing Johnston wearing a Mob-Town Bandido hat which represents the Hot Springs Chapter.

Another photo shows Johnston fraternizing with others, (Gunnar Burks, Ben Simmons and Josh Davis), wearing Mob Town hats at the bar where the Bandidos meet.

Add to these warning signs that Hastings says that Patrol Sgt. Michael Peery told her Johnston is a liaison for the Bandidos and the Bryant PD.

Those are serious concerns on their own but on July 2^nd of last year something happened that tipped the scale enough for Hastings to officially voice those concerns.

Hastings and Detective Nathaniel Morrison were accompanying two Alcohol Beverage Control Officers on a surprise inspection of the Bar.

2:20 seconds into the inspection Hastings’ body camera captures Johnston pulling up to the Bar in his personal Dodge pickup truck with the Bar owner’s son Gunnar Burks.

https://youtu.be/KQzVlDsIZNY?si=YIMbDioSfzXqsh0v

When the two walk in, they immediately see Hastings and the other three Officers. At that moment the phrase “deer in the headlights” pretty much covers the looks on their faces.

Johnston goes straight to the bar and grabs a stool and sits next to a patron. Burks stands in place awkwardly for a few seconds, looks at Johnston and then separates himself from him by going to the opposite end of the bar.

The two then get on their phones….Gotta wonder if they were texting each other.

Odd behavior for two men who obviously came to the bar together to enjoy each other’s company.

Even odder is that Johnston not once while there acknowledged Hastings or Morrison with even so much as a wave or smile, keeping his face turned away from them.

When the Officers located the now “infamous” hidden door to the secret room, Johnston got up from the bar and walked out getting into his truck and leaving.

That encounter left Hastings with more than enough to reach out to her Lieutenant with the concerns. That led to a meeting with Chief Minden.

After the encounter with Johnston on July 2^nd, Hastings further learned from Sgt. Peery that during an incident on January 26^th, 2024, at the Bar, Johnston interfered with Officers questioning of a suspect telling him to shut the fuck up and not say anything.

Now considering that the Bar is known to law enforcement as a hangout and meeting place for the Bandido outlaw motorcycle gang and is owned by a Bandido….wouldn’t it stand to reason that even the average civilian citizen would have concerns about Johnston’s behavior ?

Of course it would.

Right or wrong, law enforcement officers are held to much higher standard of ethics and conduct than the average civilian….much higher.

So, it’s easy to understand that Hastings felt a duty to ethics and conduct that compelled her to bring her concerns up through the chain of command.

Keep in mind that not once has Hastings claimed she has evidence of Johnston violating any criminal law. What she does have is concerns about his ethics and conduct….and they are legitimate.

Bryant PD’s Code of Conduct Policy Section V – Regulations Regarding Conduct.

Associating with criminal element: Officers should not knowingly commence or maintain a relationship with any person who is under criminal investigation; indictment; arrest or incarceration, by this or another law enforcement department; and/or who has a known criminal reputation in the community (i.e. persons whom they know, should know, or have reason to believe are involved in felonious activity or crimes of moral turpitude), except as necessary for performance of official duties, or where unavoidable because of familial or personal relationships. Officers should disclose to their supervisor any personal relationships with such individuals that may bring discredit to the department.

Unbecoming Conduct: The conduct of an employee, on and off duty, reflects upon the Department. Employees must avoid conduct that might discredit themselves or adversely affect the morale, operations, or efficiency of the department. This department will not tolerate any form of illegal harassment, including any behavior on the part of employees, clients, customers, vendors, etc., that impairs an employee’s ability to perform his/her duties.

There is a strong valid argument that Johnston has violated both Policies.

Last Tuesday I called Johnston to give him an opportunity to respond to the concerns. When I told him who I was he immediately hung up….not the first time I’ve been hung up on.

I then texted him as well but got no response.

Now it is not up to Hastings to determine if Johnston has violated the two Policies….That falls to Chief Minden.

However, under the same Section Duty to Report states: It is the responsibility of any employee to provide the department with specific notice whenever he/she is involved in or aware of any acts of misconduct.

If Hastings had not reported her concerns, then she would have violated Policy as well.

So, what the Hell was she supposed to do ?….Turn her head and violate her own Ethics ???

Bottom line is that Hastings followed her Ethics and Duty by reporting her concerns through the chain of command.

As a result of that she was retaliated against and fired….and that’s Facts not Fiction.

In the next Chapter of the Shanna Hastings story, we are going to dig into the retaliation she faced and her wrongful termination.

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