Barling was arrested in connection with child pornography

FORT SMITH — A Barling man is facing multiple charges after police say they arrested him on his way to Central Mall with a shotgun and later found child sexual abuse photos and videos on his phone.

Rodney Sheffield, 41, of Barling, was charged with four counts of possession of child pornography, reckless driving, criminal mischief, aggravated assault and a terroristic offence. Sheffield will face the child pornography charges in a separate trial from the remaining charges.

Police arrested Sheffield on April 27 after patrol officers said they saw him swerve in and out of traffic on Rogers Avenue and found a shotgun in the passenger seat when they pulled him over. Officers also found two loaded rifle magazines when they searched Sheffield.

According to court documents, police seized Sheffield’s phone after his arrest and found 37 sexually explicit images of children under the age of 10 on his device.

Sheffield’s trial on child pornography charges is set for Oct. 14. No trial date has been set for his other charges.

Sheffield’s attorney, Adam H. Rose, filed a notice of intent to plead mental disease or defect as Sheffield’s defense, as well as a request for a mental evaluation for him.

Sheffield was released from the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 10 on $200,000 bond.