Faulkner County, Arkansas

CONWAY MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS ADC

A Conway man, who is a habitual offender, was sentenced to 240 months in the Arkansas Department of Correction.  James Christopher Geeslin, Jr., of 5th Street in Conway, was charged by 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden with a series of charges arising out of an incident on March 19, 2009, in which he attempted to shoot his estranged wife's boyfriend. 

According to police reports, Geeslin and his wife had been separated for several months.  On the evening of March 19, 2009, Geeslin entered his estranged wife's residence where he found his wife in the company of another man.  When Geeslin's wife attempted to call the police, he beat her, disabled her telephone and shot at the other male subject as he attempted to flee.  Geeslin chased the boyfriend outside the residence to the end of the driveway and attempted to shoot the boyfriend at point blank range, however, the pistol jammed and the gun did not fire.  At that point the boyfriend hit Geeslin with a baseball bat and was able to run back inside the residence and lock the door.  After Geeslin cleared the gun, he shot into the residence and then fled on foot.  Officers responded to the area and apprehended Geeslin as he tried to run in the alleyway near the First Church of the Nazarene in Conway.  At the time of his arrest, Geeslin was found to be in possession of a silver pistol.

He pled guilty to charges of Aggravated Residential Burglary, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 3 Counts of Aggravated Assault, and 1 Count of Terroristic Act and received a sentence of 240 months in the Arkansas Department of Correction.