Pictured above, John Nutt.
You may remember an incident where a man was breaking into a home in Saline County, and the resident caught him and “stood his ground.” The suspect was out of prison at the time, but is now sentenced to go back.
READ MORE BELOW
Prosecuting Attorney Chris Walton announced that John Nutt, Jr., of Little Rock, pled guilty to three counts of residential burglary and one count of felon in possession of a firearm on Monday, December 16, 2024. Circuit Judge Brent Houston accepted the recommendation from the Prosecutor’s Office and sentenced Nutt to 20 years in the Division of Correction.
On February 27, 2024, Nutt, 36, broke into three homes in East End and Hensley. Nutt kicked in the doors at two of the homes and entered the third home through a window. None of the homes were occupied during the burglaries.
Johnny Gravett, the owner of the third home, however, arrived as Nutt was exiting his home. Nutt was armed with a rifle. Nutt pointed the rifle at Gravett. Gravett then shot and wounded Nutt. Nutt fled the scene on foot.
Members of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, and Bryant Police Department pursued and captured Nutt a short time later. Nutt was in possession of jewelry and other items from the three homes.
Over the past 18 years, Nutt has been convicted of multiple counts of residential burglary, robbery, theft of property, and felon in possession of a firearm in Little River, Miller, Pulaski, and Saline Counties. He had been released from prison in October 2023 and was on parole at the time of the burglaries.
Because of his criminal history, Nutt is not eligible for parole on the felon in possession of firearm charge. Under current law, he will have to serve 100% of his sentence.
According to Walton, “Self-defense and stand your ground laws were written for this situation. Mr. Gravett exercised his rights and protected himself and our community. I appreciate him and law enforcement for responding so quickly to apprehend Nutt.”
Walton went on to add, “It is unfortunate that career criminals treat the prison system as a revolving door. The Governor and General Assembly are to be commended for tightening parole eligibility for repeat and violent offenders. Mr. Nutt has twenty years to think about his actions that day.”