Four black teens were fundraising for their high school football team. A white woman held them at gunpoint.
By Sophie Lewis
/ CBS News
Four black teenagers were going door to door early this month, looking to raise money for their high school football team in Wynne, Arkansas. When they approached the home of Jerri Kelly, she held them on the ground at gunpoint until police arrived.
Kelly, who is married to a county jail administrator, was arrested and charged with four accounts of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a minor, Wynne County police told CBS News Friday.
Police arrived at Kelly's house on Wednesday, August 7 at around 10 a.m., responding to a report of "suspicious persons," to find the four boys on the ground, with Kelly, who is white, standing over them with a gun.
Trending News
The boys were allowed to stand up and told officers they were selling discount cards to raise money for their school's athletic program. Two of the four kids were wearing their football jerseys, according to the police report. One officer immediately recognized the students from interactions with them as a School Resource Officer.
Kelly, 46, attempted to explain herself, saying she heard a dog barking and the boys walking through the neighborhood. She said she feared for her safety after a prior home invasion. She gestured to the boys' skin and then her own, and said, "It ain't about that," according to the police report.
"If you're gonna sell cards, act like you're selling cards," she reportedly told police. "Be smart about it boys. Please. It's your life you're talking about. Don't be silly about it." Later, she said she "felt remorse" and asked to get in contact with the boys to buy them lunch and "put some closure on this."
A warrant was put out for Kelly's arrest, but she turned herself in Monday evening and was released that night on a $10,000 bond. A headshot was not initially taken, apparently because Kelly had a "medical emergency" as she was being booked.
A mugshot was taken after Kelly's initial court appearance Thursday morning, in part because of community backlash claiming she received special treatment.
"She was afforded the same booking process and procedures as anyone that's brought into our facility," Cross County Sheriff's Department Captain Jeff Nichols said. "She received no preferential treatment."
Other members of the community said they did not notice any suspicious activity that morning.
According to the police report, Kelly's neighbor said she could hear the boys playing outside, but said "nothing out of the ordinary" was taking place. Another neighbor said the boys appeared to be playing hide-and-seek and laughing in the street.
In their statement, the boys, who are all between the ages of 15 and 16, described being chased by a dog near Kelly's house. The owner then approached the boys and apologized, promising the dog would not bite. They laughed about the situation and played with the dog before continuing to Kelly's house.
The boys said they were "scared to even talk" to Kelly after she called them liars and threatened to shoot them if they moved from the ground. They said she lectured them after police arrived and insisted they look her in the eyes and shake her hand.
Wynne School District Superintendent Carl Easley said students participate in fundraising "every year," but the district is considering stopping door-to-door fundraisers.
"We're reviewing whether or not to let door-to-door continue," Easley told CBS News Friday. Instead, the district encourages "going to businesses rather than individual homes, going to people you know and going with an adult."
First published on August 16, 2019 / 1:52 PM
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Rescued baby dugong dies of shock with a stomach full of plastic
"Her death will remind Thais and people all over the world not to dispose trash into the oceans," a Natural Resources and Environment Minister said
52M ago 
Thousands of veterans fear "burn pits" have exposed them to lethal disease
"We cannot let burn pit exposure veterans be the 'Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange' of our generation"
1H ago 
Iranian tanker to leave Gibraltar despite U.S. pressure
The ship was detained for over a month in Gibraltar for allegedly attempting to breach European Union sanctions on Syria
1H ago 
Greenland residents react to Trump's idea to buy the island
Sources told CBS News that Mr. Trump is interested in Greenland's strategic and military significance
16H ago 
Iranian oil tanker is free, but may be going nowhere fast
Grace 1 is free to go after official release by Gibraltar, but without a willing captain the ship may stay put, and give U.S. room to maneuver
Aug 16 
Woman arrested for holding black teens at gunpoint
The boys, who were raising money for their school football team, told police that the woman cursed at them and threatened to shoot them if they moved
7M ago 
Eyal Shani on his revolutionary approach to dining: "It has to be a miracle"
Shani said his secret is believing that each ingredient is a living creature with its own will
19M ago
Iranian tanker to leave Gibraltar despite U.S. pressure
The ship was detained for over a month in Gibraltar for allegedly attempting to breach European Union sanctions on Syria
1H ago 
Man taken into custody after rice cookers trigger bomb scare
Police have not identified the man but consider him a person of interest
2H ago 
Heather Locklear pleads no contest to fighting with first responders
A judge sentenced Heather Locklear to 120 days in jail, but the sentence was stayed pending completion of a substance-abuse treatment program
3H ago 
2020 Daily Trail Markers: Harris unveils "Camp Kamala en Español"
Harris looks to train Spanish-speaking volunteers, Klobuchar pitches gun control in South Carolina, and Democrats target Amash's seat
17H ago 
Warren releases massive plan to address issues facing Native Americans
Native American leader praises Warren's proposal ahead of candidate forum on indigenous issues
21H ago 
Trump calls supporter he mocked at rally
President Trump called a supporter he mistook for a protester and mocked at his New Hampshire rally
21H ago 
House Judiciary to return from August recess to consider gun bills
"To keep our communities safe, we must act," said committee chair Jerry Nadler
Aug 16 
McConnell recovering from "successful" shoulder surgery
The Senate majority leader tripped and fractured his shoulder outside his Kentucky home earlier this month
Aug 16
Eyal Shani on his revolutionary approach to dining: "It has to be a miracle"
Shani said his secret is believing that each ingredient is a living creature with its own will
19M ago 
Woodstock at 50, in the words, and music, of those who were there
A half-century after a mass of humanity converged on a farm in Bethel, N.Y. for three days of peace and music, musicians and concert-goers recall a unique moment for their generation
Aug 4 
Molly Tuttle performs "Take the Journey"
Singer-songwriter Molly Tuttle began playing guitar when she was eight. The California native joined her family band at 15, and then started a solo career, releasing her first album "When You're Ready" just this spring. In her national television debut, Tuttle performs three songs off the new album.
3H ago 02:53 
Molly Tuttle: Light Came In (Power Went Out)
Singer-songwriter Molly Tuttle began playing guitar when she was eight. The California native joined her family band at 15, and then started a solo career, releasing her first album "When You're Ready" just this spring. In her national television debut, Tuttle performs three songs off the new album.
2H ago 03:36
Heather Locklear pleads no contest to fighting with first responders
A judge sentenced Heather Locklear to 120 days in jail, but the sentence was stayed pending completion of a substance-abuse treatment program
3H ago 
Funeral homes now live streaming memorial services
Roughly 20% of funeral homes in U.S. offer an online option to grieving family and friends who can't attend the event
Aug 15 
Overstock shares sink after CEO comments about "Deep State"
Investors are fleeing retailer Overstock after its CEO issued a bizarre statement about the "deep state" and "men in black"
Aug 15 
U.S. lawmaker joins international Facebook investigation
Rep. David Cicilline joins the International Grand Committee on Disinformation and "Fake News," as lawmakers from a dozen countries seek answers on election influencing
Aug 15 
WeWork filed its IPO â now meet its We Double
A Wyoming company with a Chinese address and $441 in the bank seems poised to benefit from WeWork's buzzy IPO
Aug 14 
Dream Chaser spaceplanes to launch on Vulcan rocket
Sierra Nevada Corp. picks ULA's Vulcan rocket to boost Dream Chaser spaceplanes into orbit
Aug 14 
NASA picks Alabama space center for moon lander program
The lander is a critical element in NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon in 2024
18H ago 
Varnish and rubber found in Arctic snow, according to study
The study postulated that the pollutants were potentially carried via air
Aug 15 
July was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth
On the last day of the month alone, 11 billion tons of ice melted across Greenland â contributing to record low sea ice levels
Aug 15 
Nature up close: Theodore Roosevelt, the conservation president
The conservation movement in the U.S. dramatically advanced under the 26th president's watch, as he established 5 national parks, created the National Wildlife Refuge System and U.S. Forest Service, and oversaw the protection of 230,000,000 acres
Aug 15 
12-year-old discovers apparent woolly mammoth tooth in Ohio
Jackson Hepner was taking photos with his family when he spotted the giant tooth along the edge of a creek
Aug 14
Thousands of veterans fear "burn pits" have exposed them to lethal disease
"We cannot let burn pit exposure veterans be the 'Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange' of our generation"
1H ago 
Salmon caviar recalled due to botulism fears
Product sold in four states is possibly tainted with toxin that can cause life-threatening illness or death
18H ago 
Tyson recalls chicken patties because of "extraneous matter"
Some consumers reported finding pieces of a mechanical seal or gasket in the Weaver fully cooked patties
22H ago 
Ebola outbreak spreads, claiming first victims in a new region
Government in Congo's previously unaffected South Kivu province says 1 person there has died and their child is being treated
Aug 16 
FDA wants to put graphic warnings on cigarette packs
In a move to amplify the health risks, images would show neck tumors, feet with amputated toes, and diseased lungs
Aug 15
Salmon caviar recalled due to botulism fears
Product sold in four states is possibly tainted with toxin that can cause life-threatening illness or death
18H ago 
Recession fears are back — should you be worried?
The longest economic expansion in U.S. history suddenly looks wobbly — but here's why it's too soon to freak
Aug 16 
U.S. kids are quitting sports amid rising costs, inequality
Youth sports participation is rising among richer families, as children lower down the ladder exit the field
Aug 15 
If black families had white wealth, economy would be $1.5 trillion bigger
The typical white family in America has 10 times as much as the typical black familyâand that hurts everyone
Aug 15 
IRS budgets cuts costing the feds billions of dollars
A sharp decline in funding for the tax agency has impaired its ability to audit big corporations and millionaires
18H ago
Woman arrested for holding black teens at gunpoint
The boys, who were raising money for their school football team, told police that the woman cursed at them and threatened to shoot them if they moved
7M ago 
America's deadliest mass shootings
These are the deadliest mass shootings in American history
Aug 5 40 photos
Man taken into custody after rice cookers trigger bomb scare
Police have not identified the man but consider him a person of interest
2H ago
Heather Locklear pleads no contest to fighting with first responders
A judge sentenced Heather Locklear to 120 days in jail, but the sentence was stayed pending completion of a substance-abuse treatment program
3H ago 
Woman sues Kroger after father's death
The mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso has brought attention to the gun policies of major retailers. One woman is challenging Kroger after her father was murdered. Jericka Duncan reports.
16H ago 02:12
NASA picks Alabama space center for moon lander program
The lander is a critical element in NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon in 2024
18H ago 
Milky Way black hole emits mysterious light flare
Scientists spot a flare of light coming from a black hole in the Milky Way. Syracuse University physics professor Duncan Brown explains to CBSN how the mysterious event may have occurred.
Aug 15 06:27
Dream Chaser spaceplanes to launch on Vulcan rocket
Sierra Nevada Corp. picks ULA's Vulcan rocket to boost Dream Chaser spaceplanes into orbit
Aug 14 
Our galaxy's black hole suddenly flashed a bright light
Scientists called the flashes "unprecedented"
Aug 15 
How to watch the Perseid meteor shower peak Monday night
Anyone trying to watch the Perseid meteor shower should try to stay away from bright city lights
Aug 12 
Michael Gargiulo case: Stabbing deaths of three women linked to suspected serial killer
Investigators link murders of Tricia Pacaccio, Ashley Ellerin and Maria Bruno to same suspect: Michael Gargiulo
Aug 15 13 photos 
The worst movies of 2019
The worst films of the year star big name actors, including Keanu Reeves, Anne Hathaway, and Chris Hemsworth.
Aug 9 51 photos 
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo
A traveling exhibition of gothic and occult art, sideshow performers, and bizarre specimens stopped outside Chicago, where CBS News photographer Jake Barlow took in the odd sights
Jul 22 24 photos 
New York's Central Park
America's first major landscaped public park, the 840-acre park in Manhattan welcomes more than 37 million visitors every year
Jul 21 25 photos 
Manson Family murders: The terrifying story in pictures
A look at the cult slayings that shocked â and scared â America
Jul 3 44 photos
Popular
Molly Tuttle performs "Take the Journey"
Singer-songwriter Molly Tuttle began playing guitar when she was eight. The California native joined her family band at 15, and then started a solo career, releasing her first album "When You're Ready" just this spring. In her national television debut, Tuttle performs three songs off the new album.
3H ago 02:53 
Molly Tuttle performs "Messed With My Mind"
Singer-songwriter Molly Tuttle began playing guitar when she was eight. The California native joined her family band at 15, and then started a solo career, releasing her first album "When You're Ready" just this spring. In her national television debut, Tuttle performs three songs off the new album.
3H ago 03:34
Molly Tuttle: Light Came In (Power Went Out)
Singer-songwriter Molly Tuttle began playing guitar when she was eight. The California native joined her family band at 15, and then started a solo career, releasing her first album "When You're Ready" just this spring. In her national television debut, Tuttle performs three songs off the new album.
2H ago 03:36 
A climate reckoning in the heartland
A historic flood in March 2019 left much of America's heartland under water. Grain farmers already struggling to bounce back from the Chinese trade war must now grapple with the realities of climate change that threaten to change the future of farming forever. Now, some farmers are implementing practices that could potentially reverse the effects of climate change â and provide a bigger profit. In this CBSN Originals documentary, Adam Yamaguchi travels to Nebraska, where he meets two farmers on different paths, both determined to pass their legacies on to the next generation.
Jul 26 23:07
The Dish: Superstar Israeli chef Eyal Shani
Eyal Shani is a bona fide superstar chef in his native Israel, and a regular judge on the country's version of "MasterChef." He's turned his casual pita restaurant Miznon into a global phenomenon, with locations in Tel Aviv, Paris, Vienna, Melbourne and two in New York. In April, Shani opened up a second location of his high-end eatery HaSalon in New York, after the restaurant revolutionized the dining scene in Tel Aviv. Dana Jacobson reports.
2H ago 06:43
