Rhonni Levi Hooton

     The Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call from 146 Buzzard Roost Cutoff Monday evening, October 17th at 6:02 PM, on a report that a man had knocked on a woman’s door and then pulled a knife.  Deputies went to the residence to investigate.  The victim informed deputies that a man came to her door, brandished a knife, and then left on foot toward Cochran Drive after throwing the knife down in the ditch.  The victim was able to provide a description of the suspect to deputies.

     Deputies began searching the area, and Corporal Rockie Morrell observed a man matching the description of the suspect in front of 54 Cochran Drive.  This person was subsequently identified as 36 year old RHONNI LEVI HOOTON, who resides on Cochran Drive.  The deputy observed that HOOTON was unsteady on his feet and having to hold on to the mailbox to keep his balance. HOOTON had blood on his hand and also on his shirt and pants.  Without the deputy mentioning anything about a knife at that point, HOOTON said aloud that he did not pull a knife on anyone. HOOTEN was taken into custody.  The victim later visually identified HOOTON as the man who had come to her door with a knife.  According to further statements of the victim, her 4 year old child answered the door. HOOTON was observed by her to be leaning against the door frame and appeared intoxicated.  The victim came up to the door to see what he wanted, and HOOTON allegedly had a knife and opened it up to where the blade was exposed. HOOTON mumbled statements, but was not understood by the victim.  The victim was in fear of her own safety and that of her child and immediately shut the door.  She then called 911 and observed HOOTON throw the knife into the ditch and leave.  Corporal Morrell recovered the knife in ditch.

     RHONNI LEVI HOOTON was subsequently transported to the Detention Center and booked on charges of:

Aggravated Assault – Felony
Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the Second Degree – Misdemeanor
Public Intoxication – Misdemeanor

     HOOTON is currently being held in lieu of $15,000 bond, and he is scheduled to appear in the Circuit Court to answer the charges on October 27th.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff