Former Arkansas lawmaker arrested over alleged stalking of estranged wife
Austin McCollum, a former Arkansas Republican lawmaker and current candidate for county judge, has been arrested on suspicion of stalking his estranged wife and breaching a restraining order. The allegations have renewed scrutiny of a marriage already at the centre of domestic abuse claims, which McCollum denies; he has pleaded not guilty to earlier charges.
Prosecutors allege McCollum went to his children’s school when Ragen was there, looked into her car and watched her in a corridor, despite an order keeping him 1,500 feet from her home, workplace and the children’s schools. The affidavit says she had told him she would attend an open house from 9am to 10am on 22 September, while he had booked a separate tour for 11am. McCollum was released on bail on Thursday.
- Austin McCollum was arrested over alleged stalking and a restraining order breach.
- Prosecutors say he approached his estranged wife at their children’s school.
- He denies the allegations and was released on bail.
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Austin McCollum is a former Arkansas Republican lawmaker who is currently running to become a county judge. He has been arrested on suspicion of breaching a restraining order and stalking his estranged wife Ragen.
The restraining order was put in place during their marriage breakdown, which has involved domestic abuse allegations that McCollum denies. The order prevents him from approaching Ragen's home, workplace and their children's schools.
McCollum's campaign for county judge puts these legal disputes in the public spotlight. The case has attracted significant attention due to his bid for elected office and the contested nature of the allegations.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “GOP rising star, 35, demanded ‘Proverbs 31’ wife, said spouse who claimed sex with him made her flinch. Now his crumbling marriage has triggered another huge scandal”.