Prosecuting Attorney Ken Casady announced that on February 3, 2016, Jason Charles Pilkington appeared in Saline County District Court Benton Division with his attorney. He pleaded guilty to Criminal Impersonation of an Officer and Domestic Battery 3rd Degree. He was sentenced to sixty days in jail, suspended on the condition of new no similar violent charges, that he complete anger management counseling classes, and pay fines and court costs. 

Jason Pilkington was involved in a physical altercation with his mother, Patricia Flowers. On September 14, 2015 Pilkington and Flowers had an argument at her residence that became physical. The two met the next day at the Chicken Express restaurant in Benton to discuss the incident, however, another argument escalated. Flowers tried to leave in her vehicle, but Pilkington blocked her entrance to the door. Flowers then turned to walk back toward the restaurant when Pilkington grabbed her arm and aggressively pulled her across the parking lot. Flowers was able to slip away from Pilkington.

A witness in the drive through observed the event and approached the two. Flowers asked him to “call 911.” The witness stated that Pilkington told him - don’t worry I am a Saline County Sheriff’s Officer. I work for the Saline County Sheriff’s Office I have the situation under control. Pilkington then told Flowers to quit fleeing, and that she was under arrest. The witness later told law enforcement officers that the reason he became involved was because he had never seen a police officer act that way before, and he did not see any identifiers, such as a badge, on Pilkington to show he was an officer.

Pilkington was formerly employed by the Saline County Detention Center as a jailer on October 27, 2014. After his arrest on September 15, 2015, Pilkington was immediately placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of his criminal charges. As a result of his guilty plea, Pilkington’s employment with Saline County Detention Center was terminated.

Sheriff Rodney Wright stated, “We will not tolerate criminal conduct or improper behavior by any Saline County Sheriff’s Office employee. There is no place for domestic violence in society today. I want to thank Prosecuting Attorney Ken Casady and his staff for their effort relating to his case.”

The State was represented by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kayla Shirey. Pilkington was represented by his attorney, Justin Cloar.

For more information please contact Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kayla Shirey at (501) 315-7767.