Background: Metal Man Recycling in Trumann, Ark. (Google Maps). Inset: Joshua Warren Campbell (Poinsett County Sheriff”s Office).
Joshua Warren Campbell, 37, was released on a $10,000 bond following his arrest on battery charges. This stems from an incident in March, as reported by local news outlet KAIT, affiliated with ABC and NBC. The Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into the alleged assault on a fellow employee at Metal Man Recycling in Trumann, Arkansas.
The affidavit from the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office reveals that on March 23, Campbell and the victim were at work when Campbell reportedly turned a blowtorch meant for cutting metal onto the victim’s back. This act allegedly caused the victim to sustain second- and third-degree burns. In an attempt to escape, the victim fell, resulting in additional injuries, including broken ribs and bruising.
The severity of the burns necessitated surgery and skin grafts.
During an interview with detectives from the Trumann Police Department, the victim claimed he overheard Campbell conspiring with another co-worker about plans to harm him. Moreover, a recording surfaced, allegedly capturing Campbell admitting to intentionally burning his colleague.
When detectives from the Trumann Police Department interviewed the victim, he told police that he overheard Campbell and another co-worker discussing their desire to attack him. Another person reportedly recorded a conversation in which Campbell allegedly admitted to burning the victim on purpose.
According to the affidavit, Campbell said in the recording that the victim purportedly owed the other co-worker’s father $100 for a moped. Campbell also reportedly expressed regret for the alleged burning, saying he “felt bad for it” and “wished it was the other way around.”
Campbell reportedly added, “He don’t deserve no karma like that, I know that [expletive] hurt.”
According to online jail records, Campbell was booked into the Poinsett County Detention Center on April 20 and was released after posting $10,000 bail. His next court date was not immediately available.
