PINE BLUFF, Ark. – A South Arkansas social media figure known for posting about community concerns and alleged injustices has been arrested following an incident in which authorities say false information shared online prompted an emergency response at the W.C. “Dub” Brassell Adult Detention Center.
According to a press release issued Monday by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Mark Cannon was taken into custody after allegedly making statements on April 2, 2026, claiming that a firearm had been brought into Misdemeanor Pod 1 at the detention facility. Officials said Cannon used social media platforms, including a Facebook Live broadcast, to make the claims and displayed what appeared to be a firearm during the video.
The sheriff’s office reported that deputies and detention personnel initiated emergency response procedures, including a full search of the housing unit. No firearm or related contraband was found.
Authorities stated the incident is part of what they described as a pattern of behavior involving the dissemination of false information. The release referenced prior incidents on May 4, 2024, involving a reported stabbing, and on September 30, 2025, involving video of a detainee altercation, both of which officials said caused unnecessary alarm and operational strain.
On April 10, 2026, Judge Phillip Green determined there was probable cause and issued a warrant for Cannon’s arrest on charges of communicating a false alarm and impairing the operation of a vital public facility. Bond was set at $1,000 secured.
Investigators with the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigation Division took Cannon into custody and transported him to the W.C. “Dub” Brassell Adult Detention Center, where he was booked without incident.
In the release, Major Dennis Kendall said false reports involving potential weapons inside a detention facility trigger significant emergency responses and require the diversion of personnel and resources. Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. also stated that such incidents can disrupt operations and divert attention from other calls for service.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said it remains committed to maintaining the safety and security of its detention facilities and encouraged the public to rely on verified sources of information.
