Sheriff: Stolen rifle lands felon back behind bars | Crime

A convicted felon is back behind bars after investigators say he stole a rifle then tried to pawn it.

On Wednesday, August 1, Baxter County sheriff’s deputies arrested 24-year-old Joseph J. Dutcher-Affronti of Yellville.

The day before a man reported his .22 caliber bolt-action rifle had been stolen from his home on County Road 709. 

Because Dutcher-Affronti “had access to the residence,” the victim said he went to a pawn shop in Flippin and asked if he had tried to pawn the gun there.  He was then told to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, where Dutcher-Affronti was in custody.

According to a news release from Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, Dutcher-Affronti admitted to stealing the rifle.  He added that Dutcher-Affronti is a convicted felon and “therefore ineligible to possess a firearm.”

Dutcher-Affronti is currently being held in the Baxter County Detention Center on charges of felony theft of property and felony possession of a firearm by certain persons (convicted felon).  His bond was set at $10,000.  He is scheduled to appear in Circuit Court on Thursday, August 9.