Officers discovered Saturday that a slaying suspect jailed in Pulaski County was digging in his cell and had possession of a handcuff key, according to a police report.
Johnny Tacu, 21, was booked into Pulaski County jail in June after being charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Geovanne Navarro Carbajal, 22.
Carbajal was stabbed in the chest June 17 outside Tacu's home at 8118 Stanton Road. He was taken to UAMS Medical Center and died that night.
Witnesses identified Tacu as the suspect, according to reports. A police report stated that before Tacu was arrested, he removed a knife from his pocket and said, "I did it to protect my wife."
On Saturday, "metal objects" were found in Tacu's cell, a report states.
Tacu is suspected of using them to dig around his cell window.
In addition to a murder charge, Tacu now faces a felony charge of criminal attempt.
Tacu remained on the jail's roster late Sunday with a $250,000 bail.
A hold had been placed on his custody for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
