Arrest made after body found in woods

A 37-year-old man was arrested for stabbing a man to death and leaving his body near the Wolf River Monday.

Michael Walton turned himself in to homicide detectives Monday night. He was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Paxton Halliburton.

Halliburton was found in a wooded area on Highland, north of Chelsea Avenue. Police said Walton and Halliburton got into an argument Sunday, and during the altercation Walton is accused of stabbing Halliburton multiple times.

Police developed Walton as a suspect after several people told investigators that he was the last person seen with Halliburton, according to the arrest affidavit.

Walton turned himself in Monday at 201 Poplar. He told investigators that he killed Halliburton after an argument, according to the affidavit. 

Walton will be in court Wednesday for a video arraignment on the charge.

According to court records, Walton has a long arrest record dating back to 1999 when he was arrested for possession of drugs. In 2011, he was indicted for aggravated robbery and aggravated assault. He pleaded guilty to the aggravated assault charge and served three months.