On Saturday, June 7, 2008, Investigator Ricky Morales was advised of a fight in progress near the midway at Jacksonport State Park during Portfest. Morales saw two men fighting later identified as Jason Gabriel Burton, 30, of Searcy and Ronald James Cantrell, 64, of Heber Springs. Cantrell along with witnesses to the incident stated that Burton attacked Cantrell. As Morales and other law enforcement officials got closer to the incident, Deputy Pat McGee pepper- sprayed the two (2) individuals in the altercation. Cantrell and Burton were treated by White River EMS employees and later released due to the pepper- spray and injuries they received during the altercation. Deputy Travis Engler transported Burton to the Jackson County Sheriffʼs Office where he was charged with Battery in the Second Degree a Class D Felony.

On Monday, June 9, 2008, Burton appeared before Newport District Court's Special Judge, Richard Allen. Burton's bond was set at $10,000.00 and is to appear in the Jackson County Circuit Court on June 26, 2008.