A Hot Springs man was arrested on felony warrants Wednesday stemming from allegations he attacked two security employees at a local nightclub last year, injuring both, when they tried to make him leave the business.
Rhett Dustan Rogers, 31, who lists an Amity Road address, was taken into custody around 1:30 p.m. on two counts of second-degree battery, each punishable by up to six years in prison.
Rogers, who lists no prior felony history, was later released on a $5,000 bond and is set to appear May 3 in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on May 27, 2023, Hot Springs police responded to the Big Chill, 910 Higdon Ferry Road, regarding a battery.
The suspect had already left the scene when officers arrived, but was reportedly identified as Rogers through a saved driver's license scan he was required to do upon entering the club.
One of the alleged victims, 35, was working security that evening and had noticed Rogers in the VIP area with an unknown female. Rogers was not wearing a wristband allowing him to be in that area so the security employee asked the female if she wanted Rogers in that area with her and she told him "no."
The employee asked Rogers to exit the area to speak with him and he complied. Rogers was standing beside the employee who said he "looked away for a moment" and then Rogers allegedly punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious.
While the employee was unconscious, Rogers allegedly continued to punch him several times before other security employees were able to pull him off. The employee reportedly suffered bruising on his head and neck and had a "large scrape" and swelling on the top and back of his head.
Other security employees escorted Rogers out of the club and one employee, 44, followed him outside to the parking lot to "make sure Rogers did not attempt to reenter" the club.
As they reached the lot, Rogers allegedly turned and punched the second employee in the face, "knocking several of (his) teeth out." The affidavit notes the employee required oral surgery to repair the damage done by Rogers.
Security video detectives obtained reportedly corroborated the statements by both victims and the witnesses. Warrants for Rogers' arrest on the charges were later issued.