On December 29, 2021 Douglas County Sheriff Degase, Oregon County
Sheriff Eric King, Oregon County Chief Deputy Rich Matteson and Ozark
County Sgt. Brown initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle on 63 Highway
north of Thayer. The driver was identified as Curtis Dewayne Braden
age 64 of Viola, Arkansas. During the course of the vehicle stop,
Oregon County K-9 Amul alerted on the vehicle. When Mr. Branden was
asked to step from the vehicle, he put his vehicle in drive and took
off. He momentarily drug Chief Deputy Matteson, who sustained a hand
injury from the incident. Sheriff King opened up the passenger’s door
as Braden began to flee and was also drug by the vehicle before being
able to pull himself into the front seat of the vehicle and persuading
Braden to stop the vehicle. Braden was then assisted from the truck
and taken into custody.
Branden was found with approximately 50 grams of Methamphetamine
inside his truck.
An Oregon County warrant with no bond was issued on December 30
charging Curtis Braden with
1. Assault First Degree on Law Enforcement Class A Felony
2. Assault First Degree on Law Enforcement Class A Felony
3. Armed criminal Action- Unclassified felony
4. Armed criminal Action- Unclassified felony
5. Trafficking Drugs- Class B Felony
6. Delivery of Controlled Substance Methamphetamine Class C felony
7. Possession of a Controlled Substance Class D Felony
8. Resisting arrest Class E Felony.
Braden is currently being held at the Thayer Police Department. Both
Oregon County Officers were seen at Ozarks Healthcare and released
following the incident.
