Kansas man claims he was kidnapped in Bentonville

BENTONVILLE -- A Kansas man claims he was kidnapped in Bentonville earlier this month after he attended a militia organization meeting in Kentucky, according to documents filed this week.

Eric Edinger, 18, of Estill Springs, Tenn., was arrested June 17 in connection with accomplice to kidnapping, a felony. Prosecutors haven't filed formal charges against Edinger, who was released from the Benton County Jail after he posted a $5,000 bond.

The case stems from a June 6 telephone call Bentonville police received from Grace Point Church. A man claimed he had been attacked the previous day and left near the church, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Paul Ray Halligan told an officer he recently attended a Confederate Regulators event in Manchester, Ky., according to the affidavit.

Halligan said he attended the event with his girlfriend, Heather Hull, and another woman-- Tracy Ova -- who he met on Facebook.

Halligan said Hull picked him up in Coffeyville, Kan., and they drove to the Value Place Inn in Bentonville where they picked up Ova, the affidavit states. Halligan said they then drove to Kentucky.

Halligan told police he sensed something was wrong on the June 5 return trip to Bentonville. Ova was complaining someone stole money at the meeting. Halligan said Ova had a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun with her, the affidavit states.

Halligan said they returned to the Value Place Inn. Ova was at the motel with her boyfriend, Rick Shetters, who worked with a traveling construction crew. Halligan said the women left him in the motel room with Edinger, Shetters and Chris Castleman from the construction crew, the affidavit states.

They began to accuse him of stealing money and drugs from someone in Kentucky who was referred to as the "General from Virginia," according to court documents.

Halligan said Hull left the hotel with his cell phone and clothes.

Halligan said Castleman forced him against the wall and began to frisk him to find the money and drugs, according to the affidavit.

Halligan said Castleman head-butted him and began to choke him.

Ova returned to the room and the group began to discuss what they were going to do with Halligan, according to court documents.

Halligan said they led him out the room, blindfolded him and drove around before he was dumped near the church.

Gene Page, a spokesman with the Bentonville Police Department, said police are working with authorities in Franklin County, Tenn., to arrest other individuals.

NW News on 06/24/2016

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