Meyer pleads guilty to misdemeanor

Eureka Springs City Council member Harry Meyer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief Monday, Aug. 10, in Carroll County Circuit Court in Eureka Springs.

Carroll County Circuit Judge Scott Jackson accepted Meyer’s plea and sentenced him to 365 days in the county jail, with the entire sentence suspended under the condition that he commit no new jailable offenses. Meyer also was ordered to pay $1,610.29 in court costs, fines, fees and restitution at a rate of $100 per month.

Meyer, 77, had been charged with felony criminal mischief but prosecutors amended the charge to a misdemeanor in exchange for Meyer’s guilty plea. The charge stemmed from an incident that occurred May 5, 2025, at Lake Leatherwood City Park.

Meyer, dressed in dark slacks, sneakers and a dark jacket with his shirt open at the neck, sat on the front row of the courtroom before Monday’s hearing, chatting with another man. When his case was called, he stood before Jackson along with defense attorney Ryan Jewell and answered Jackson’s questions in a clear voice.

According to an affidavit written by Special Agent Jana Cordes of the Arkansas State Police, Nicholes Anthony Castro of Bella Vista was assisting with an event at Lake Leatherwood City Park under a vendor agreement with the Eureka Springs Parks and Recreation Department when Meyer confronted him about loud music being played from speakers connected to Castro’s van.

Castro told investigators that Meyer climbed onto the van, unplugged the speakers and damaged the vehicle’s rear doors, which became misaligned and difficult to close. Castro later obtained a repair estimate of $1,170.29.

Witnesses told investigators Meyer yelled about the music and mentioned his position as a city council member during the confrontation, the affidavit says. One witness recorded video of the incident.

Meyer admitted unplugging the speakers but denied causing damage to the van or equipment, according to the affidavit. He told investigators he believed the music violated the city’s noise ordinance and drove to the park to address the issue.

Authorities said the estimated damage exceeded $1,000, qualifying the offense as felony criminal mischief under Arkansas law.

Meyer had pleaded not guilty to the felony charge, but during Monday’s hearing, he answered yes when Jackson asked whether he was pleading guilty to the misdemeanor charge because he was guilty.

In a separate case, Meyer still faces a felony charge of aggravated assault in connection with an incident on July 13, 2025. Meyer is accused of striking a neighbor, Virginia Seymour, with his vehicle in their neighborhood on Cross Street. That case was continued Monday, with special prosecutor Robbie Jones telling Jackson that as long as Meyer abides by an order barring him from contacting Seymour, the state will amend that charge to a misdemeanor as well. Jackson ordered Meyer to appear in court on that charge on Feb. 8, 2027.

According to an arrest affidavit written by Cordes, Seymour told investigators that Meyer backed his pickup truck toward her while she was standing behind the vehicle, knocking her to the ground.

Seymour placed her hands on the truck bed in an attempt to avoid being struck, but Meyer continued reversing, causing her to fall onto her back, head, neck and shoulders, the affidavit says.

Seymour suffered scratches, contusions and neck pain and was evaluated at Eureka Springs Hospital.

Jim Marple, Meyer’s next-door neighbor who was speaking with Seymour on the phone at the time, reportedly called 911 after hearing the incident occur.

A witness who was present in the driveway told investigators she saw Seymour standing behind the truck while Meyer attempted to back out. The witness said the truck bumped Seymour, causing her to fall.

Investigators also reviewed photographs of the scene and partial video from a Ring camera that captured part of the encounter.

Meyer acknowledged backing the truck while Seymour was behind it but told investigators she fell as she stepped backward. He denied intending to harm her.

Meyer, who was first elected to the city council in 2018, is seeking a fifth term in the Ward 3, Position 2 council seat. His opponent in the Nov. 3 general election is Shira Fouste, chair of the Eureka Springs City Advertising and Promotion Commission.