RISON, Ark. – A man accused of shooting a hole in a water tower honoring country music legend Johnny Cash has been found guilty by a jury in Cleveland County, Arkansas Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
Timothy Sled, a resident of Kingsland, was charged with felony impairing the operation of a vital public facility and first-degree criminal mischief. Sled is a Warren native.
The water tower in Kingsland features a silhouette of Cash. The issue with the water tower was first discovered in May 2022, when city officials found a hole in the tower, causing it to look like Cash was relieving himself. The incident made headlines across the United States and became a source of amusement for some, including national late-night shows, but it had serious consequences for the town. The leak caused approximately 30,000 gallons of water to flow into the dirt every day until it was repaired, costing the town $200 per day on top of a $5,000 repair cost.
Saline River Chronicle posted a report about the situation on May 20, 2022.
According to KARK 4 News reporter Jessica Ranck, Sled received fines totaling up to $15,000.
Richard Ledbetter, in a special to the Pine Bluff Commercial section of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, reported that the judge pushed sentencing back to April 11 to give Sled time to arrange payment.
