Eureka Springs Council Member Arrested by State Police

EUREKA SPRINGS, AR. - Harold Frederick Meyer, a 76-year-old city council member in Eureka Springs, was arrested Friday by special agents from the Arkansas State Police. Meyer faces serious felony and misdemeanor charges, including first-degree criminal mischief and aggravated assault, which are connected to two separate incidents that reportedly occurred last summer.

According to the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division, Meyer's arrest took place on March 13. The charges stem from investigations that began after the Eureka Springs Police Department requested assistance from state authorities.

The first incident, which led to the felony charge of first-degree criminal mischief, happened on June 3, 2025. Investigators allege Meyer caused damage to personal property during a community event in Eureka Springs.

A second investigation was requested by local police on July 14, 2025. This followed a reported physical confrontation between Meyer and a neighbor, which resulted in the aggravated assault charge. State police have not yet released specific details or circumstances surrounding either of these alleged events.

However, public concerns and specific allegations related to the July incident were brought up during a Eureka Springs City Council meeting on July 14, 2025. During the public comment section, Eureka Springs resident Ruth Virginia Seymour spoke to the council members. She claimed that on July 13, Meyer intentionally drove his truck toward her during a property dispute while she was photographing a neighboring property.

Seymour told the council, "This evening I'm in front of you to bring to your attention that you have a councilman that has assaulted me with a vehicle." She further alleged that Meyer "actually left the scene after he ran over me basically. He didn't stop. He got out of his truck... and went into his house." Seymour stated she hit her head and was "nearly run over," and confirmed she had reported the incident to the police.

Another resident, Jim Marple, also addressed the council, describing an ongoing disagreement between himself and Meyer. Marple claimed that Meyer had harassed him and used his position on the city council to pressure the city's code enforcement office to investigate him after Marple purchased a nearby lot in late 2024.

At the time of these public allegations, the Eureka Springs Police Department stated they could not release reports related to the incidents due to the active investigations.

State police confirmed that Meyer was taken into custody by Criminal Investigation Division agents, processed at the Carroll County Detention Center, and subsequently released on his own recognizance, meaning he was released without having to pay bail, based on his promise to appear in court.