Jeremy Sherland: Arkansas dad, 45, laughs while being arrested for piercing teenage son’s ear
TONTITOWN, ARKANSAS: Jeremy Sherland, a 45-year-old man from Tontitown, Arkansas, was arrested for piercing his teenage son’s left ear as the state law forbids all forms of body art on children less than 16. Officers reportedly barged into the Sherland’s family home to arrest the man in a video that went viral on social media.
Police found out about the incident after the boy was seen with a piercing in his left ear during class, the Daily Mail reported. Officials reportedly said that the boy was overheard saying that his father was intoxicated and put him in a chokehold and “shoved the piercing in his ear," the publication noted. A Springdale police school resource officer reportedly contacted the Tontitown Police Department on Thursday, April 20, to conduct a welfare check on the suspect's home. Sherland reportedly admitted to piercing his son’s ear but did not want to let officers speak to his son or answer required questions, prompting officers to return with an arrest warrant issued by Washington County prosecuting attorney Matt Durrett, the outlet reported.
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Video showing Jeremy Sherland’s arrest goes viral
A viral TikTok video showing police officers barging into Sherland’s home to arrest him was shared on TikTok. In the video, Sherland can be seen laughing and scoffing while five police officers attempt to arrest him. Meanwhile, his son and wife could be seen protesting against the arrest. At one point, Sherland can heard saying, “Body art without a license!” while his son, who could be seen filming the arrest, is heard yelling, “I wanted my ears pierced!”
The video further shows multiple officers holding Sherland against the wall and placing him in handcuffs. Meanwhile, his son can be heard asking, “Why are you doing this?” Another woman, presumed to be Sherland’s wife, can also be heard asking officers for an explanation. He is also seen briefly resisting arrest before being shoved out of the door by the police. Meanwhile, the wife and son can be seen following the man.
While Sherland is being taken down the streets, his wife can be heard yelling, “Piercing is done here without a license. It takes three cops, four cops, coming into my house with no permission. No permission and busted in my front door. This is the boy right here who got a pierced ear by his dad. These cops busted in my front door. Busted in the front door.” The boy is heard reiterating, “I wanted my ears pierced.”
What does Arkansas law state?
As per Arkansas law, no one is allowed to “perform body art on a person under 16 years of age, regardless of parental consent,” the Daily Mail noted. It is also illegal “to perform body art in any unlicensed facility” and the violation of the law is considered a Class D felony, the outlet noted. Sherland was reportedly held in the Washington County jail for two nights before being released on Saturday, April 22, on a $1,500 bond, as per online jail records. He has also been accused of endangering the welfare of a minor, resisting arrest and obstruction of government operation.
“Officers were met by Jeremy at the front door,” cops reportedly said, adding, “Officers asked Jeremy to step outside. Jeremy refused standing in the doorway with his hands behind the door and wall posturing himself. Officers told Jeremy he was under arrest and explained the probable cause for the arrest. Jeremy refused to comply. Officers then took him into custody."