Romantic dispute leads to alleged kidnapping: Arkansas man tied up and forced to play Russian roulette unless he dumped his girlfriend

In a shocking case of coercion and assault, Arkansas police arrested three men in connection with the kidnapping of an 18-year-old male. Authorities say the motive was a romantic dispute, with the captors allegedly forcing the victim to play Russian roulette and threatening to harm his family if he refused to break up with his girlfriend.

The victim reported the terrifying ordeal to the Sherwood Police Department on September 21, 2025. According to the victim, the three men ambushed him on the night of September 20 while driving his girlfriend’s vehicle from Little Rock to Sherwood. At that time, police say Jackson Homan, 23, allegedly approached the car and forced the victim out at gunpoint, according to Arkansas news outlet WKRC.

Extension cord restraints and Russian roulette

The three suspects—Jackson Homan, his 20-year-old brother Charlie Homan, and 54-year-old Robert Ellerd—then drove the victim to a residence in the Lakewood area of North Little Rock. During the drive, the suspects reportedly threw the victim’s phone into a pond.

At the residence, the captors allegedly tied the victim to a chair, using an extension cord to restrain his arms. They then forced him into playing Russian roulette, a dangerous game involving a revolver with one live round and several empty chambers, demanding he end his relationship and leave Little Rock.

The captors later released the victim at North Little Rock High School, and after going to his father’s house, he called the police.

The motive was directly linked to the victim’s girlfriend

Authorities said Ellerd is engaged to the mother of the victim’s girlfriend. Jackson Homan was a friend of the girlfriend’s late brother.

At the time of his arrest, Ellerd held the position of Director of Financial Aid at the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College. Following the incident, the college terminated Ellerd, with his last day of employment being October 1.

A subsequent investigation, including the review of surveillance footage, supported the victim’s testimony. Police executing a search warrant at the residence where the captors held the victim seized several weapons and other items. Law enforcement corroborated the victim’s account, noting multiple bruises and cuts on his arms, consistent with restraint.

Authorities charged all three suspects with aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and making terroristic threats. Authorities are currently holding them in the Pulaski County Jail, each on a $500,000 surety bond.