GARLAND COUNTY, AR — A 50-year-old Arkansas man has been charged with arson and other felonies after allegedly igniting an explosive device at his ex-wife’s home just 12 days after their divorce was finalized, leaving both himself and another man with burns.
Randall Hamblen faces charges of arson, second-degree battery, aggravated assault, and violation of a protective order following the May 20 incident at a residence on Tallentwood Place in Garland County. He is being held on $100,000 bond at the Garland County jail. The explosion occurred at a home Hamblen had previously shared with his wife before their divorce proceedings began, according to court documents obtained by local media.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Hamblen drove his gold 2003 Dodge 1500 pickup truck to the Tallentwood Place residence around the time of the incident. When a man at the home opened the door and encountered Hamblen, the defendant allegedly told him, “Oh good, you’re here. Get the dogs out of the house.” The man reportedly exited through the home’s back door and walked around to the carport area where Hamblen was waiting. Witnesses told investigators that Hamblen then “leaned over” and “ignited something,” causing what the affidavit described as a “boom” that sent flames across the area.
Both men suffered burns to their bodies from the resulting fire, though authorities have not disclosed the extent of their injuries or specified what type of explosive device was used. The incident prompted an immediate response from local emergency services and launched an investigation into Hamblen’s recent history with the property and his ex-wife. Court records show the couple’s divorce was finalized on May 8, just 12 days before the explosion occurred. It remains unclear whether Hamblen’s ex-wife was inside the home at the time of the incident or if she was injured.
Investigators discovered a pattern of escalating threats and harassment leading up to the explosion. In October 2024, Hamblen was served with a court-ordered protective order that prohibited him from contacting his then-estranged wife and banned him from going to the Tallentwood Place residence. According to court documents, his wife had reported that Hamblen’s drinking had increased and that he had made explicit threats to “burn our house down” if she changed the locks on their shared residence. Text message records from October 19, 2025, show Hamblen warned his wife that their divorce would result in “mutually assured destruction” and that he was “on the verge of earning the part of me I didn’t want to see” if she refused to communicate with him.
The threatening communications continued for months, with Hamblen allegedly vowing to “take what we built” and declaring that they “will burn together,” according to the Hot Springs Sentinel Record. These messages formed part of the evidence that led to the protective order, which Hamblen is now accused of violating through his presence at the property on May 20. The case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in preventing domestic violence escalation, particularly when protective orders are in place. Garland County authorities have not released additional details about the investigation or whether they are seeking other potential charges related to the incident.
The Tallentwood Place neighborhood, where the explosion occurred, is a residential area that has not previously been associated with similar incidents. Local residents reported hearing the explosion and seeing emergency vehicles respond to the scene. The home where the incident took place had been the subject of ongoing property disputes during the couple’s divorce proceedings. Authorities found evidence of recent vandalism at the property, including damaged juvenile trees and destroyed landscaping, though they have not confirmed whether these incidents were connected to Hamblen or the domestic dispute.
Hamblen is scheduled to appear in Garland County Circuit Court for arraignment on the charges, though a specific date has not been announced. If convicted on all counts, he could face significant prison time under Arkansas state law. The arson charge alone carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, while the battery and assault charges could add additional years to any sentence. Prosecutors have not indicated whether they plan to seek additional charges related to the explosive device or the violation of the protective order. The case remains under active investigation by the Garland County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident adds to growing concerns about domestic violence escalation in Arkansas, where protective orders are issued regularly but enforcement remains challenging. Legal experts note that cases involving explosive devices represent a particularly dangerous form of domestic terrorism that puts not only intended targets at risk but also neighbors and first responders. Hamblen remains in custody pending his court appearance, with bond set at $100,000 reflecting the serious nature of the charges against him.
