Photo: Cody Shawn Dennis
A local attorney was arrested Friday and charged with assault and disorderly conduct stemming from a recent disturbance at the Arkansas Workforce Center.
Thirty-year-old Cody Shawn Dennis, who lists a Bull Shoals address, was booked into the Baxter County Detention Center at just after 2 p.m. and released on his own recognizance about 20 minutes later.
Mountain Home police were called to the center, located along Highland Circle, on Oct. 4 to take a report on an event that is alleged to have taken place three days earlier.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Dennis came to the office in reference to his unemployment claim. He was reported to be upset and asked to speak to the office manager.
The office manager told police she had explained the situation to Dennis several times on previous occasions.
The manager eventually told Dennis she could not help him any further, and he needed to leave.
Dennis is alleged to have jumped up, gotten in the manager’s face and began using profanities.
A witness was reported to have come out of her office and tried to calm the situation.
Dennis was alleged to have continued yelling at the manager and to have made a fist and “gestured as if he was going to hit her.”
The witness told police she screamed “Sir! Sir!” at Dennis, and he turned and told her to shut up.
The incident came to an end when Dennis is alleged to have told the manager, “I will see you soon.”
Dennis is charged with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors.
According to the warrant of arrest, Dennis is to have no contact with the manager or the workforce center.
Dennis has been practicing law in the area for several years. For a brief period, he also served as a deputy public defender.
He now has a solo practice with an office in Gassville, according to his firm’s website.
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