Mitchell Steven Wine was recently convicted in the Saline County Circuit Court of a Class A Misdemeanor for harassing communications and a Class C Felony for threatening a judicial officer. Wine was sentenced 54 months in the Arkansas Department of Corrections .
On November 3, 2022, a Saline County Sheriff’s Detective received a report of harassing communications. The harassment was directed towards Judge Brent Houston of the Saline County Circuit Court. On November 3, Wine sent an email to Judge Houston stating “You want me to come bring before you, boy? You’re a punk, nothing more. If you want me incarcerated, why not come get me yourself? Fat *** punk, Look at your piece of **** *** boy. ‘I’m a fat *** punk who can’t protect my own***’. You lazy piece of ****.”
He sent another email quickly after stating “Open your mouth fat boy. Open that mouth, see what you get.”
At the time of the offense, Judge Houston was presiding over a criminal case involving Wine.
Wine was also said to have called Judge Houston’s home phone twice during the night.
On November 2, a warrant was issued against Wine for a bond revocation in an ongoing trial.
A court order recused all Saline County judges from the case. The order states that the judge assigned the case, Ken Casady, as well as the other judges in the 22nd judicial district conferred and determined to recuse themselves from the case to avoid the appearance of impropriety since the case involves a Saline County Judge. Retired Judge Charles Yeargan was assigned the case. Yeargen served as judge of the Arkansas 9th Judicial Circuit West Division 2 from 1997 until the end of his term in 2020.
The arrest affidavit states that Wine had a history of similar harassment and another warrant was issued for his messages to Judge Houston. The prosecutors report states the Wine had previously engaged in similar threatening behavior over email or phone with his former attorney, legal counsel to the State Board of Election Commissioners and the Director of the State Claims Commission.
