Monticello councilman arrested for alleged domestic violence

MONTICELLO, Arkansas – A Monticello city councilman is facing domestic violence charges following his arrest Tuesday night.

According to authorities, the wife of City Councilman Mark Tiner called them to his home at 7:18 p.m. Tuesday after she said he threw a chainsaw at her and knocked her to the ground.

According to a police report, Tiner’s wife tried to get his phone because she thought he was keeping secrets.

According to police, Tiner admitted to throwing a chainsaw at his wife in anger while she was walking. Tiner told police he took the phone from her hand and then pushed her to the ground.

Officers said they noticed a red abrasion on the woman’s kneecap and a long red mark from one of her elbows to her shoulder.

Mark Tiner was taken to the Drew County Detention Center a half hour after officers arrived and released around 8 p.m. Authorities said he is charged with third-degree domestic violence, a Class A misdemeanor.

Tiner became a city councilor in 2020 and is running unopposed for re-election this November. The deadline for another candidate to enter the race was in March.

Some voters in Monticello said Wednesday they were shocked by the news. Some said Tiner should resign, while others said one mistake should not define him and that he is innocent until proven guilty.

KARK 4 News sought comment from Tiner, his employer Union Bank, where he works as a senior vice president, and the city. Only Mayor Jason Akers responded that the city of Monticello would not comment and would leave the matter to the police.

KARK 4 News called City Attorney Whit Barton to see if a conviction would affect Tiner’s position as a city councilman. He was unavailable for a response.