Ezekiel Warford, 19, of Fort Smith, Ark., and Eric Michael Dolan, 22, of Roland were each charged with felony maiming and conspiracy. William Todd Drake, 44, of Roland was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute, conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of minors, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records. Warrants were issued for all three men.
Roland Police Officer Stephen Westbrook reported that on Aug. 9 he and Officer John Hancock responded to a Roland home about an 18-year-old barely breathing. When police arrived, Westbrook reported seeing a male, identified as Matthew White, lying on the floor in the entryway severely bleeding after apparently being beaten until unconscious.
After interviewing several witnesses, Westbrook wrote that it was determined that Warford beat White on the head and face with his bare hands. Other witnesses said Warford came back in after the assault and hit White again. Warford allegedly spoke to each person at the party, trying to get people to help him beat up White. Witnesses said that Warford said he would not stop until White was in a wheelchair the rest of his life. Warford allegedly said White would be going to the intensive care unit the night of the assault.
Roland Police Chief Tommy Sessums said after the incident that the victim was taken by ambulance to a Fort Smith, Ark., hospital, and he was in intensive care after the beating.
In the charges against Dolan, Westbrook wrote that after interviewing several witnesses it was determined that Dolan locked the home owner, Drake, out of the house and began to kick White repeatedly in the head. Witnesses said that Warford asked Dolan to help beat White that night.
According to charges against Drake, he is accused of providing beer and marijuana to juveniles, as well as an item used to smoke marijuana. He is also accused of conspiring and agreeing with Warford, Dolan and five other juveniles to commit the crime of maiming by planning with the others to lure and transport White to the home of Drake, court records indicate.
