Five Served Arrest Warrants in Monroe Co. Jail Death

Staff Reports

CLARENDON, Ark. — Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) have arrested five inmates in connection with the death of 44-year-old Terry Craig of Clarendon, following an investigation into an incident that occurred inside the Monroe County Detention Center.

On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, CID investigators served arrest warrants on Gregory Otis, 38; Typaris Johnson, 26; Antonio Aldridge, 31; Reko Branscomb, 28; and Carmello Hawkins, 18,  at the Monroe County Detention Center. Each has been charged with First-Degree Murder, First-Degree Battery, and Engaging in Violent Criminal Group Activity. All five suspects remain in custody, each on a $3 million bond, with their first court appearance set for Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

The charges stem from an incident on August 8, 2025, when detention staff discovered Craig injured in his cell shortly after he had been booked on charges of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials and Possession of a Firearm by Certain Persons. Craig was transported to Baptist Health Medical Center in Stuttgart, where he was pronounced dead just before 10 p.m. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office requested assistance from ASP CID. 

Craig's body was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the exact cause and manner of death.