Former principal charged in Hempstead County Circuit Court

HOPE – Justin James Mishler, 34, of Nashville, AR has been charged with Possession or use of Child Sexual Abuse Material (Count 1) and Selling, Loaning, or Displaying Pornography to Minors (Count 2) in 8th North District Court of Hempstead County.

The Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office arrested the former Blevins School District Counselor in February following a three-month investigation into multiple alleged criminal offenses.

The investigation was initiated following reports of alleged inappropriate conduct involving minors. In November of 2024, Mishler, who served as a counselor and interim principal at Blevins High School, resigned.

The Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Arkansas State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted an extensive inquiry into the allegations, which resulted in the issuance of 15 search warrants for social media platforms and electronic devices used by Mishler. As a result of the investigation an arrest warrant was issued.

According to the information filed by Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hale’s office regarding Count 1, from on or about August 1, 2024, to November 11, 2024, Mishler allegedly used an online computer service, namely Snapchat, to allegedly seduce, solicit, lure, entice or attempt to deduce, solicit lure or entice a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct.

In Count 2, Mishler, during the same time frame, allegedly did unlawfully and knowingly furnish, present, distribute, allow to view, or otherwise disseminate to a minor, material that is harmful to minors.

Count 1 is a Class B Felony punishable by not less than five years nor more than 20 years in prison and/or a fine not exceeding $15,000. Count 2 is a Class B Misdemeanor with a penalty in the County Jail for a term not to exceed 90 days and/or a fine not exceeding $1,000.

In court proceedings last week, the Affidavits of alleged offenses were sealed to protect the alleged minor victims.