Eastern District of Arkansas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Two Former Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officers Accused of Smuggling Contraband Each Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
HELENA-WEST HELENA—Robert Cochran and Tejuana Dillard will go from being federal prison guards to federal prison inmates after each was sentenced to 30 months’ incarceration in separate cases after getting caught smuggling contraband into the Forrest City Federal Correctional Complex (FCC). Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentences which were handed down on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
On December 5, 2023, Cochran, 37, of Forrest City, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a one count Indictment charging him with bribery of a public official. On March 11, 2026, Cochran pleaded guilty to the charge in the Indictment. On June 6, 2024, Dillard, 42, of Wynne, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a two-count Indictment with one count of bribery of a public official and one count of making a false statement to federal agents. On March 11, 2026, Dillard pleaded guilty to making the false statements. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that while Cochran was employed as a correctional officer at Forrest City FCC, he received approximately $58,775 from friends and family of the inmates at the prison to bring contraband, including rolling papers, tobacco, Gucci sunglasses, and over the counter drugs, into the facility. Cochran was captured on video footage in February 2023 leaving bags containing contraband in an office while on duty. After Cochran left the office, an inmate would enter to retrieve the items. Cochran later admitted he was paid to bring items into the prison for inmates.
Through a separate investigation, it was determined that Dillard, who was employed for 13 years as a correctional officer between 2008 and July 2021 at Forrest City FCC, smuggled contraband cigarettes into the prison throughout 2020. Dillard received in total $91,788 to provide the cigarettes to two inmates, who later sold the contraband cigarettes to other inmates in the facility. Dillard, in an interview with federal agents, admitted to smuggling cigarettes while she was employed as a correctional officer, but stated she had only done so “a couple of times.” At the time of her interview with the federal agents, Dillard knew the statements she made were false.
These cases were investigated by the Office of the Investigator General, U.S. Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. These cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie Peters.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Tennessee Man Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Assaulting Two U.S. Postal EmployeesRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—George Elliot Gibson, III, will spend the next 48 months in federal prison for assault with the intent to rob two United States Postal employees. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge D. P. Marshall, Jr.
On September 11, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted Gibson, 28, of Bartlett, Tennessee, in a seven-count Indictment with two counts of assault of a United States Postal employee, one count of attempted robbery of United States property, one count of assaulting and impeding a United States Postal employee, and one count of unlawful possession of a postal key. On March 10, 2026, Gibson pleaded guilty to two counts of assault with the intent to rob a United States Postal employee. In addition to the 48-month sentence, Judge Marshall also sentenced Gibson to serve two years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on June 11, 2022, Gibson pulled alongside a United States Postal mail carrier that sitting in the Postal vehicle while delivering mail in North Little Rock. Gibson demanded the mail carrier give him the drop box key, but the mail carrier refused and drove off. Gibson encountered the mail carrier on a different route later that day and demanded the key once again, and this time Gibson brandished a firearm at the mail carrier.
Later that same day, Gibson approached a different mail carrier who was delivering mail to an apartment complex in North Little Rock. When Gibson approached the mail carrier, he was holding a black rifle in his right hand and demanded the mail carrier immediately give him the postal key. After initially refusing, the mail carrier eventually gave the postal key to Gibson. Following the robbery, law enforcement officers from the North Little Rock Police Department conducted a traffic stop and arrested Gibson. At the time of his arrest, officers located on the floorboard of the vehicle the air rifle that resembled an AR-15 rifle that was used in the robbery. Gibson later admitted to having what appeared to be a firearm during the first attempted robbery and during the robbery of the postal key.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the North Little Rock Police Department. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Arkansas.
# # #
This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available on-line at
http://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
- Cabot Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material
Armed Career Criminal from Memphis Found Guilty a Second Time for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm Sentenced to More Than 19 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Percy Jackson, of Memphis, Tennessee, who was on federal supervised release after federal convictions for two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm in Tennessee, will spend the next 235 months in federal prison for committing the same crime, this time in Arkansas. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker.
A federal grand jury indicted Jackson, 41, on June 6, 2024, charging him with three counts: being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. A three-day trial was held before Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker. After deliberating approximately three hours, the federal jury returned a guilty verdict on count one, felon in possession of a firearm.
In addition to the 235-month sentence, Chief Judge Baker also sentenced Jackson to three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Jackson was released from federal prison on September 28, 2022, after serving his prior 15-year federal sentence for illegally possessing guns. The evidence at trial revealed that on October 10, 2023, West Memphis Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on a car driven by Jackson for having a defective brake light and expired tags. Jackson was the only occupant of the vehicle and appeared nervous and sweating when questioned by law enforcement officers. Jackson was removed from the vehicle and law enforcement officers conducted a search of the vehicle. During the search, under the driver’s seat officers located a loaded Ruger 9mm firearm that had been previously reported stolen. A baggie with pills that contained fentanyl was found in the glove compartment.
At the time of this incident, Jackson was on supervised release with the Western District of Tennessee for his felon in possession of a firearm conviction.
Because of his violent criminal history, Jackson is classified as an armed career criminal. Jackson’s past criminal history includes five convictions for aggravated robbery, a conviction for attempted aggravated robbery, a conviction for facilitation of especially aggravated robbery, and the previous convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the West Memphis Police Department and the Second Judicial Drug Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Eldridge.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Man Currently Serving a State Prison Sentence Pleads Guilty to Threatening Several U.S. Senators and Former Vice President Kamala HarrisRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Todd Curry, currently imprisoned at the Ouachita River Unit of the Arkansas Department of Corrections, pleaded guilty to mailing threatening communications to six U.S. Senators and former Vice President Kamala Harris. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the guilty plea, which occurred today before United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
On December 2, 2025, Curry, 55, who is currently incarcerated at the Arkansas Department of Corrections, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a 14-count Indictment charging him with seven counts of mailing threatening communications to a federal employee and seven counts of false information and hoaxes. On August 4, 2025, Curry pleaded guilty to seven counts of mailing threatening communications to a federal employee. Judge Rudofsky will sentence Curry at a later date after a presentence report is prepared by the United States Probation Office.
Curry faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each count for a total of 70 years.
On October 7, 2022, Curry mailed seven letters from Little Rock to members of the United States Congress and the former Vice President in Washington, D.C. The letters contained specific threats to kill or cause bodily harm to those members of Congress and the former Vice President for their roles and official duties as employees of the federal government. The investigation revealed that in addition to the threats to kill the selected six members of Congress and the former Vice President, Curry made references in his letters to either anthrax or “rison” (ricin), which are both considered deadly poisons. After the letters were submitted for analysis, it was determined that none of the substances inside the letters contained anthrax, ricin, or any other toxic or poisonous substance. During the investigation, it was positively determined that the letters were written by Curry and some of the letters were signed by Curry.
Curry has a significant criminal history dating back to 1990 that includes violent offenses and drug offenses: breaking or entering, criminal attempt, drugs, battery in the second degree, domestic battery third degree, robbery and theft of property. He is currently serving a state sentence of 10 years following a 2024 drug conviction for trafficking a controlled substance.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Capitol Police. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Pine Bluff Man Who Was Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Spencer Walker will spend the next 360 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
On August 5, 2025, a federal grand jury returned a Third Superseding Indictment charging Walker, 37, of Pine Bluff, with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On September 25, 2025, after a four-day jury trial, Walker was found guilty by the federal jury on all three counts in the Third Superseding Indictment.
Walker was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Walker to serve an additional 60 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which will be served at the completion of the first sentence. In addition to the federal prison sentences, Judge Rudofsky ordered Walker to serve five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
During the trial, the evidence revealed that in September 2022, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) intercepted two packages, each containing five pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers performed a controlled delivery of those packages to Walker’s address. After the controlled delivery, they conducted a search of Walker’s residence and located an additional unopened package that was found to contain 10 pounds of methamphetamine; in his bedroom they located a shotgun with a 25-round drum magazine.
Law enforcement officers continued their investigation into the owner of the residence, tracing his location for a period of time. They noted that the owner frequented a house in Bryant, Arkansas. Law enforcement officers then discovered that an additional three packages addressed to the Bryant residence containing 10 pounds of methamphetamine each, had been previously intercepted. In January of 2023, law enforcement officers intercepted another package going to the Bryant residence that contained 10 pounds of methamphetamine. During the trial, Walker attempted to place the blame on an ex-girlfriend. It was through the interception by USPIS of those parcels, as well as several witness statements and photo identification, that law enforcement officers were able to identify Walker as the intended recipient of all the packages containing methamphetamine.
Walker has previous felony convictions for breaking or entering, possession of a handgun on public school property, theft of property, fleeing, theft by receiving, forgery, and residential burglary.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Little Rock Police Department.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Mabelvale Woman Indicted for Illegally Smuggling Clams into the United StatesRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Yanci Lissbeth Amaya Aguiluz appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe for plea and arraignment after being charged with illegally smuggling clams into the United States. Aguiluz, 52, of Mabelvale, was indicted on July 8, 2026, on two counts of smuggling more than three dozen clams into the United States on two different occasions. Aguiluz entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in the Indictment and trial is scheduled for August 31, 2026.
The Indictment alleges that after receiving notification from the Arkansas Department of Health in July 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) launched an investigation into Aguiluz’s alleged illegal possession and sale of a certain species of clams known as blood clams (scientific name is Anadora tuberculosa) that came from El Salvador. The Arkansas Department of Health sent Aguiluz a notice regarding her attempt to import and sell the clams. An investigation further revealed that after allegedly smuggling the clams into the United States, Aguiluz sold the clams on a social media platform at local events in central Arkansas.
It is a violation of law to ship clams from El Salvador due to El Salvador not being listed on the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL). The ICSSL is an official list maintained by the Food and Drug Administration that identifies shellfish dealers who are authorized to ship shellfish within the United States. Shellfish such as clams are filter feeders, meaning they eat and filter the water in which they live. The United States has high water quality standards and will only accept shellfish from certain geographic areas that meet certain quality levels. The type of clams Aguiluz is accused of smuggling are known for carrying Hepatitis A, Norovirus, parasites, and can carry marine biotoxins such as paralytic shellfish poisoning.
If convicted, Aguiluz faces a potential penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the NOAA with assistance from the Environmental Crimes Natural Resource Division, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Customs & Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, Arkansas Department of Health, and Arkansas Game and Fish. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward Walker.
An Indictment contains only allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Illegal Alien from Guatemala Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Federal Prison for Being an Illegal Alien in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Silvino Herrera-Munoz, who is in the United States illegally, will spend the next 102 months in federal prison after being convicted of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
On March 4, 2025, Herrera-Munoz, 34, who resided in North Little Rock, was indicted by a federal grand jury in an Indictment charging him with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. On January 12, 2026, Herrera-Munoz pleaded guilty to the Indictment. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Herrera-Munoz to three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on February 2, 2025, a concerned citizen called 911 and reported a vehicle driving eastbound on Interstate 30 near Geyer Springs, Arkansas, with the driver shooting 5-7 times out of the driver’s window. The driver/shooter, later identified as Herrera-Munoz, was going back and forth speeding up and slowing down and brake checking the tractor trailer before he began to shoot. The caller followed Herrera-Munoz’s vehicle until an Arkansas State Police Trooper conducted a stop. Herrera-Munoz, an illegal alien, had an odor of alcohol and a blood-alcohol content of .12, well above the legal limit in Arkansas.
After the Trooper approached the vehicle, he observed a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber firearm and a spent shell casing on the driver’s floorboard. During a search of the nearby area of the traffic stop, Troopers located two additional shell casings on Interstate 30, which were later confirmed to be fired from the firearm Troopers located on the floorboard of Herrera-Munoz’s vehicle.
Herrera-Munoz’s criminal history includes two convictions for driving while intoxicated.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assistance from the Arkansas State Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Crews.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Final Three Defendants in Central Arkansas Drug-Trafficking Conspiracy Sentenced to Combined 29 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Kevin Langel, who trafficked dozens of kilograms of cocaine from Texas to Arkansas, will spend the next 14 years in federal prison. Bruce Smith, who trafficked multiple pounds of methamphetamine from California to Arkansas, will be in federal prison for the next 10 years. And Larry Rogers, who brokered multiple kilogram-quantity transactions of cocaine between drug distributors in Little Rock, will serve five years in federal prison. All three men were sentenced by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky for their roles in a major drug-trafficking organization that ended with guilty verdicts following a six-day trial in February.
Today, Judge Rudofsky sentenced Langel, 54, of Pine Bluff, and Rogers, 71, of Benton. On Monday, Judge Rudofsky sentenced Smith, 55, of Hesperia, California. Langel and Smith each received five years of supervised release in addition to their 168 and 120 months, respectively, of imprisonment. Rogers’ 60 months’ imprisonment will be followed by four years of supervised release. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the verdicts.
The three men were part of a drug conspiracy that spanned from California to Texas to Arkansas and involved significant amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl. The three were the last of the 18 defendants indicted to be convicted after a trial that ended on February 10, 2026.
Langel, Smith, and Rogers were initially indicted in November 2022. A federal grand jury returned a Superseding Indictment on January 6, 2026, charging Smith with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Langel and Rogers were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, with Langel’s charge involving more than five kilograms of cocaine and Rogers’ charge involving more than 500 grams, but less than five kilograms of cocaine.
The indictments were the culmination of a multi-agency investigation into drug-trafficking in central Arkansas led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and North Little Rock Police Department.
The evidence at trial proved that the controlled substances the three men were selling were ultimately being purchased, and redistributed, by Roderick Toney, 58, of Little Rock. Judge Rudofsky sentenced Toney to 150 months imprisonment on February 25, 2026, following Toney’s guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The investigation revealed that Smith knew individuals in Pine Bluff and came to Arkansas several times during the conspiracy period of 2020 through 2022 to sell and deliver pounds of methamphetamine to Toney.
In June and July 2022, at the same time Smith was selling methamphetamine to Toney, Toney was purchasing kilograms of cocaine from Rogers. Evidence at trial detailed Toney and Rogers’ movements on July 14, 2022, when Rogers obtained money from a relative of Toney’s at a car wash and then traveled to a business off Geyer Springs Road in Little Rock where he met with Langel and obtained a kilogram of cocaine that Rogers later delivered to Toney. Rogers and Toney were involved in multiple cocaine transactions.
In addition to the evidence that Langel was the source of supply of cocaine that Rogers obtained for Toney in June and July 2022, the United States proved that Langel was engaged in numerous multiple-kilogram transactions of cocaine sourced out of Houston and Dallas in late 2022 and early 2023. Just one such transaction was for $72,800, according to evidence presented at trial, money with which Langel purchased four kilograms of cocaine.
During today’s sentencing, Judge Rudofsky said he considered Langel’s criminal history, which included at attempted murder conviction as well as a conviction for Battery, Second Degree, in crafting the 14-year sentence.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Little Rock comprises agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans Field Division, North Little Rock Police Department, and the Sherwood Police Department, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
This case was investigated by the DEA and North Little Rock Police Department, with assistance from the Sherwood Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Givens and Amanda Fields.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Jury Convicts Walnut Ridge Man of Multiple Charges in Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
JONESBORO—A federal jury has convicted Bobby Scott Glenn of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. The trial, which spanned one day, ended on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, with guilty verdicts for Glenn, 40, of Walnut Ridge. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the verdict.
Glenn and his co-defendant, Harry Keith Lane, 71, of Corning, were indicted by a federal grand jury on May 9, 2024, in a three-count Indictment charging Glenn and Lane with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Glenn and Lane were also charged with one count each for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. On June 24, 2026, Lane pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and is currently awaiting sentencing.
In January 2024, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began an investigation into Alex Dillard, a large-scale methamphetamine distributor in the northeast Arkansas area. Dillard, 43, of Jonesboro, was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 6, 2024, in a three-count Indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of distribution of methamphetamine. Dillard is currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty on January 21, 2026, in the separate Indictment to one count of distribution of methamphetamine.
The evidence at trial proved that during the late evening on January 17, 2024, Dillard distributed methamphetamine to Glenn, who is on parole with a search waiver on file. On January 18, 2024, investigators located Glenn at his residence in Hoxie and in the home were two minors who were asleep and a man who stated his name was “Keith Mangrum.” Investigators advised Glenn the reason for their visit and instructed the man who stated his name was “Mangrum,” but he was later identified as Lane, to leave the premises.
While departing the residence, investigators noticed Lane walking and behaving nervously and concerned that Lane may be in possession of a weapon, investigators searched his person and during the search, Lane removed a methamphetamine pipe from his jacket pocket. Investigators also located in Lane’s jacket sleeve a large bag of methamphetamine and $2,146 in U.S. currency. When questioned by investigators, Lane stated he purchased the methamphetamine from Glenn.
At trial, evidence proved that investigators located $3,100 in U.S. currency on top of Glenn’s dresser and after being Mirandized, Glenn admitted that Dillard provided the methamphetamine that was located in Lane’s jacket the day before and that he (Glenn) sold it to Lane for $3,100 just before investigators arrived at his residence. The methamphetamine was confirmed by the HIS laboratory to be 382.06 grams with 70% purity, rendering the remaining substance to contain 269.74 grams of methamphetamine (actual).
Glenn was detained following the jury’s verdict and will be sentenced at a later date. Glenn and Lane’s conspiracy charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and a minimum of five years’ supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erin O’Leary and Amanda Fields.
# # #
This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available on-line at
http://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Beebe Man Responsible for Fentanyl Pills that Killed Individual Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—The primary distributor in a fentanyl conspiracy responsible for the distribution of thousands of pills, including one that resulted in a death, will spend the next 27 years in federal prison. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
Trent Porter, 38, of Beebe, was sentenced to 324 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after his conviction for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. There is no parole in the federal system.
A federal grand jury indicted Porter, along with co-defendants Lamont Kirk, 50, and Willie Johnson, 43, both of Little Rock, in the fentanyl conspiracy that resulted in the death of an individual identified in court documents as D.R. In addition to the conspiracy charge, Porter was charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. For their role in the conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl that resulted in death, on October 29, 2025, Kirk was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison and on November 7, 2025, Johnson received a sentence of more than 14 years.
All three defendants pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge in separate hearings on June 25, 2025, following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Little Rock Police Department (LRPD). On August 20, 2023, LRPD officers responded to a distress call at a residence in Little Rock. Officers found D.R. deceased from what a state medical examiner concluded was a lethal dose of fentanyl. It is believed that D.R. died after ingesting a single fentanyl pill. The investigation revealed that D.R. obtained the fentanyl that caused the death from Kirk, at Kirk’s residence, the day that D.R. died.
On August 23, 2023, DEA and LRPD officers searched Kirk’s residence, locating a firearm and a small amount of narcotics. Through continued investigation, officers discovered that Kirk obtained the pills he sold to D.R. from Johnson two days prior. Then, officers surveilling Johnson conducted a traffic stop on Johnson’s vehicle. Officers located 99 pills in Johnson’s pocket that were confirmed to contain fentanyl. As the investigation continued that same day, officers learned that Johnson obtained the fentanyl pills he was selling to Kirk from Porter.
After locating and conducting surveillance on Porter, officers made contact with Porter in his vehicle. Porter had 308 fentanyl pills in a bottle in his pocket. Officers then brought Porter back to his residence, where they located an additional 1,617 fentanyl pills throughout the house.
Porter was on active parole and had several prior felony convictions, including for multiple counts of possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, maintaining a drug premises, aggravated assault, possession of firearms by certain persons, breaking and entering, fleeing, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Because Porter has at least two prior convictions for a violent felony or serious drug offense, he is classified as a career offender.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Little Rock Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Givens.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Jacksonville Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Second Time for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Bob Pilletto Best will spend the next 240 months in federal prison for his second time being convicted of bank robbery. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down Thursday, July 16, 2026, by Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker.
On April 1, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an Indictment charging Best, 60, Jacksonville, with one count of bank robbery. On January 8, 2026, Best pleaded guilty to the charge in the Indictment. In addition to the 20-year sentence, Chief Judge Baker also sentenced Best to three years’ supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution to First Arkansas Bank & Trust in the amount of the stolen money. There is no parole in the federal system.
On February 6, 2025, law enforcement officers from the Jacksonville Police Department were dispatched to First Arkansas Bank & Trust in reference to a robbery that had just occurred. Once officers arrived at the bank, tellers provided a description of the person who had robbed the bank and that person was later identified as Best. During the investigation, officers were advised that Best entered the bank and proceeded to the counter in the bank’s lobby and behaved in a manner that suggested he was looking for something to write on. Best was advised by the teller that they no longer use paper deposit slips and the teller offered to assist Best at the window. Best approached the teller with one hand tucked under his arm and advised the teller that he had a firearm and instructed her to give him all the $50 and $100 bills in the cash drawer. The teller gave Best $5,300 in denominations of $100 and $50 bills. Once he received the cash from the teller, Best ran out of the bank’s front door.
Following the robbery, officers canvassed the area searching for Best. On the following day, February 7, 2025, officers were provided with information that Best may be at an apartment in Little Rock. When officers arrived at the apartment, Best answered the door and stated, “I was the one who robbed the bank.” During a later interview, Best again repeated that he committed the robbery.
Best was previously convicted of bank robbery in 2005 in Michigan and was sentenced to a 170-month federal prison term. He also has felony convictions for armed robbery, assault on a prison employee, second-degree forgery, forgery, and theft by receiving.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jacksonville Police Department.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Operation Return to Sender Results in Numerous Arrests and Law Enforcement Seizing More Than 300 Pounds of Methamphetamine Intended for Central ArkansasRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK— A large-scale federal investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in Little Rock and North Little Rock that spanned two years and multiple states resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals in Operation Return to Sender on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Twenty-three defendants accused of participating in an extensive methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy were charged in an indictment unsealed in conjunction with the arrests. Sixteen of those individuals are scheduled to appear today for plea and arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe. Fourteen defendants are in custody, and two defendants remain fugitives.
Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Warner “Brooks” Benson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock District Office for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced the arrests that took place in Arkansas, California, and Texas. During Tuesday’s arrest operation, law enforcement seized 120 pounds of methamphetamine, four firearms (two stolen), and approximately $35,000 in U.S. currency. Additional seizures include 186 pounds of methamphetamine seized from packages mailed from October through November 2025, and approximately six pounds of methamphetamine seized directly from defendants. In total, law enforcement involved in the operation recovered approximately 312 pounds of methamphetamine that conspiracy members are alleged to have attempted to distribute in central Arkansas.
“If you bring death to our streets, we will come to your doors to bring you to our courts to answer for your crimes,” United States Attorney Ross said. “According to the Arkansas State Crime Lab, methamphetamine is the leading cause of death for Arkansans who die of a drug overdose. And so, in the era of fentanyl and other illicit opioid synthetics, investigating and disrupting methamphetamine trafficking remains essential. Because of the diligence of the DEA and their law enforcement partners on this investigation, 312 pounds of methamphetamine have been removed from the streets. We are grateful to these officers and Special Agents for their grit and resolve to find and remove this poison from our Arkansas communities.”
Operation Return to Sender is a Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) investigation headed by the DEA Little Rock Field Office that began in 2024. The DEA Little Rock Field Office and HSTF partnered with numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to dismantle the sophisticated drug-trafficking organization operating throughout central Arkansas and being sourced out of California that is alleged to be responsible for distributing hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement used nine court-authorized wiretaps between December 2024 and November 2025 to investigate the drug-trafficking organization.
The indictment alleges that Christerious Wooten directed a drug-trafficking organization based in Little Rock and North Little Rock. The indictment further alleges that after members of the conspiracy transported United States currency from Arkansas to the greater Los Angeles, California, area to pay supplier Ronji Hill for the drug-trafficking organization’s methamphetamine, Hill arranged for methamphetamine packages to be mailed via commercial shipping services to residential addresses in Pulaski County, Chicot County, and other locations in the Eastern District of Arkansas. The indictment further alleges that in October 2025, after members of the conspiracy traveled to Los Angeles to pay Hill, Hill sent eight packages totaling 186 pounds of methamphetamine to Wooten’s drug-trafficking organization in Arkansas. These packages were intercepted by law enforcement in Arkansas between October 27, 2025, and November 3, 2025, before they reached their intended destinations. According to the indictment, members of the conspiracy maintained and purchased residential properties in Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Los Angeles for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine and to convert drug proceeds into legitimate property. On Tuesday, during the arrest operation, law enforcement seized an additional 120 pounds of methamphetamine from one of those properties in North Little Rock. Also at that residence, law enforcement seized three firearms, two of which were stolen, and more than $20,000 in U.S. currency. More than $15,000 and an additional firearm were seized in other locations. Previously and during the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized six pounds of methamphetamine.
“Operation Return to Sender is a testament to the unwavering commitment and collaboration of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in combating drug trafficking organizations that threaten the safety of our communities. This investigation successfully dismantled a significant methamphetamine distribution network by targeting every level of the organization from its California-based source of supply to its local distributors and the assets that fueled its criminal enterprise,” Assistant Special Agent in Charge Benson said. “The DEA remains steadfast in its mission to identify, investigate, and dismantle organizations responsible for trafficking dangerous drugs into Arkansas while holding those responsible accountable under the law.”
“Drug trafficking organizations exist for one reason—to generate illicit profits. Working alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the women and men of IRS Criminal Investigation remain committed to tracing illicit proceeds and exposing the financial networks that support these organizations,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus, Jr. of IRS Criminal Investigation, Dallas Field Office. “Operation Return to Sender demonstrates how coordinated law enforcement efforts strengthen our ability to protect the safety of our communities.”
“Arkansas State Police is committed to helping our local and federal partners make Arkansas communities safer,” said Colonel Mike Hagar, Director of Arkansas State Police. “Operation Return to Sender is a natural extension of our mission, and we’re proud to support it and other operations that prevent deadly, illegal drugs from entering our state and removing them before they cause additional harm to Arkansas families. The distribution and sale of illicit drugs is the driving force behind criminal activity in Arkansas cities. Fracturing the drug supply pipeline is one of the best ways to make our communities safer.”
“With the support of our state, local, and federal partners, the Little Rock Police Department is committed to eradicating methamphetamine from our streets,” said Interim Chief of Police Joe Miller, Little Rock Police Department. “We will relentlessly pursue those who traffic this drug and continue working to improve the quality of life for all who call Central Arkansas home.”
“The North Little Rock Police Department is committed to utilizing all possible resources to protect our neighborhoods from drug traffickers and other criminal organizations,” said Chief of Police Hayward Finks, North Little Rock Police Department. “Operation Return to Sender is a significant example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal partners work together to combat criminal activity. Special thanks to all law enforcement personnel that participated in this operation.”
This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Little Rock comprises agents and officers from the DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation, Arkansas State Police, Little Rock Police Department, and the North Little Rock Police Department with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
Those arrested and their respective charge(s) are listed below. David Ellis and Corey Lucas remain fugitives.
Conspiracy to Distribute/Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – 500 Grams or More
Penalties: Not less than 10 years, not more than life imprisonment, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, five years to life supervised release
Allysia Brown, aka Lisa, aka Liss, 29, Alexander, Arkansas
Sergio Burgueno, 51, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Jeremie Calvin, 22, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Shandreckqualin Chatman, aka Shandra, aka Shan, 34, Little Rock, Arkansas
David Ellis, 42, Malvern, Arkansas *fugitive
Charnice Frazier, aka Dookie, 29, Fort Worth, Texas
Ronji Hill, 57, Los Angeles, California
Nicolette Jones, aka Trip, 35, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Timothy Jones, 47, Sherwood, Arkansas
Robert Raper, aka Bobby, 49, Jacksonville, Arkansas
Desmond Rowe, Jr., aka Junior, 19, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Tristen Taylor, aka Bag, 28, Little Rock, Arkansas
Grealin Thomas, aka Maine, 47, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Scott Vest, aka Scotty, 47, Little Rock, Arkansas
Santadius Wilbarger, aka G, 44, Little Rock, Arkansas
Christerious Wooten, aka CJ, 34, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Conspiracy to Distribute/Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – 50-500 Grams
Penalties: Not less than 5 years, not more than 40 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, four years to life supervised release
Christopher Chambers, 35, Morrilton, Arkansas
Clay Glasco, 46, Lonoke, Arkansas
Jacki Hogue, aka Jacki Wylie, 41, Redfield, Arkansas
Otis Kelly, 44, Greenbrier, Arkansas
Daniella Pruitt, 40, Morrilton, Arkansas
Conspiracy to Distribute/Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – Less Than 50 Grams
Penalties: Not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $1,000,000, three years to life supervised release
Alexander Cruz, 54, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Corey Lucas, 48, Little Rock, Arkansas *fugitive
Distribution of Methamphetamine – 50 Grams or More
Penalties: Not less than 5 years, not more than 40 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, four years to life supervised release
Sergio Burgueno, 51, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Jeremie Calvin, 22, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Desmond Rowe, Jr., aka Junior, 19, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Christerious Wooten, aka CJ, 34, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Santadius Wilbarger, aka G, 44, Little Rock, Arkansas
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – 50 Grams or More
Penalties: Not less than 5 years, not more than 40 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, four years to life supervised release
Christopher Chambers, 35, Morrilton, Arkansas
David Ellis, 42, Malvern, Arkansas *fugitive
Daniella Pruitt, 40, Morrilton, Arkansas
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – Less Than 50 Grams
Penalties: Not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $1,000,000, three years to life supervised release
Alexander Cruz, 54, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Corey Lucas, 48, Little Rock, Arkansas *fugitive
Scott Vest, aka Scotty, 47, Little Rock, Arkansas
Attempt to Distribute Methamphetamine – 500 Grams or More
Penalties: Not less than 10 years, not more than life imprisonment, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, five years to life supervised release
Ronji Hill, 57, Los Angeles, California
Attempt to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – 500 Grams or More
Penalties: Not less than 10 years, not more than life imprisonment, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, five years to life supervised release
Christerious Wooten, aka CJ, 34, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises
Penalties: Not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $500,000, not more than three years supervised release
Sergio Burgueno, 51, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Christerious Wooten, aka CJ, 34, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Santadius Wilbarger, aka G, 44, Little Rock, Arkansas
Law enforcement partners who worked with the DEA Little Rock District Office and Homeland Security Task Force program, were:
IRS Criminal Investigation, Little Rock POD/Dallas Field Office,
Arkansas State Police,
Little Rock Police Department, and,
North Little Rock Police Department.
Assisting law enforcement agencies include:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Homeland Security Investigations,
U.S. Marshals Service,
Arkansas National Guard Counterdrug Task Force,
Arkansas Highway Police,
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office,
Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force,
Benton Police Department,
Hot Springs Police Department,
Malvern Police Department,
Sherwood Police Department, and,
Los Angeles, California, Police Department
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie Peters.
An Indictment contains only allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
North Little Rock Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Theft of More Than $330,000 in Illegally Obtained Unemployment Benefits from Multiple StatesRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Kembreia Deija Mystic Greer, who filed and received unemployment benefits from multiple states that she was not entitled to receive, will spend 18 months in federal prison for wire fraud. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
On June 3, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted Greer, 30, of North Little Rock, in an Indictment charging her with 22 counts of wire fraud. On January 21, 2026, Greer pleaded guilty to Count 22 of the Indictment. Judge Moody also sentenced Greer to one year of supervised release and ordered Greer to pay $334,441.62 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act provided additional federal assistance to states to help workers impacted by COVID-19. This also enabled workers who would not ordinarily be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits to receive assistance. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program was one of three new temporary unemployment insurance programs created under the CARES Act. This specific program enabled certain qualified claimants to receive up to 39 weeks of benefits.
At the time Greer began her employment at a medical facility in December 2019, she resided in Little Rock. On October 29, 2020, Greer was terminated from her position at the medical facility. An investigation revealed that on July 13, 2020, Greer electronically filed an application for benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program through the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance. During the investigation it was determined that the IP address used to submit the application electronically was associated with a phone number belonging to an account established by Greer. She received from the State of Massachusetts a total of approximately $15,795 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits.
Further investigation revealed that between June 30, 2020, and September 14, 2020, Greer submitted applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits in her name and other people’s names to multiple state work force agencies, including California, Texas, Alabama, Illinois, and others. Except Arkansas, Greer never worked or resided in the states where she applied for unemployment benefits. As a result of Greer’s conduct, in total more than $330,000 in fraudulent unemployment benefits were issued.
“Greer exploited federal assistance programs that were established to support individuals and businesses facing unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and used those resources for personal gain. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service remains committed to protecting public funds and preserving the integrity of the nation’s mail system from criminal misuse. I would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General for their partnership and dedication throughout this investigation,” said Inspector in Charge Kai Pickens, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Fort Worth Division.
“Greer brazenly stole funds meant to support vulnerable Americans through difficult times. Her guilty plea and sentencing underscore our unwavering determination to pursue fraud wherever it hides,” said Inspector General Anthony P. D'Esposito, U.S. Department of Labor. “If you attempt to defraud the system, know this: we will hunt you down, investigate you and ensure you face full consequences. Accountability is not an option.”
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Belleville Man Receives Maximum Sentence of 30 Years for Production of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Victor Ramirez-Mora, 20, of Belleville, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison for production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), conduct which included producing CSAM images of multiple toddlers. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
On December 3, 2024, Ramirez-Mora was indicted by a federal grand jury in an Indictment charging him with 13 counts of production of CSAM. On February 4, 2026, Ramirez-Mora pleaded guilty to one count of production of CSAM. In addition to the 30-year sentence, which is the maximum allowed by law, Judge Miller also ordered Ramirez-Mora to serve 10 years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On May 29, 2024, a social media platform flagged a user for violating the terms of service because the user uploaded a video depicting CSAM. The social media platform reported the violation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and on August 26, 2024, special agents from Homeland Security Investigations received a Cybertip regarding a sexually explicit photograph of a minor child and an adult male. Through an investigation of the IP address and subscriber information, agents identified Ramirez-Mora as a suspect.
On September 26, 2024, officers went to Ramirez-Mora’s residence and observed him arriving at the residence with a small child. After Ramirez-Mora handed over the child to its mother, officers advised Ramirez-Mora of his Miranda rights and he waived them. Ramirez-Mora was advised that law enforcement was at his residence due to CSAM being uploaded on a social media platform. Ramirez-Mora admitted that he had seen CSAM on his social media account and that the sexual acts depicted involved minors who were under the age of 14.
Ramirez-Mora was also questioned about any inappropriate activity with a minor child that was in his care and he admitted that he recorded the minor child nude while he was on the bed but did not send the video to anyone. Ramirez-Mora stated he has four videos of the minor child depicted in a sexually explicit manner. Officers seized Ramirez-Mora’s phone and after obtaining a search warrant, observed multiple videos of Ramirez-Mora engaging in sexual contact with two toddler minors, both under the age of four.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Arkansas State Police and the Yell County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. Parents are encouraged to always monitor your children’s online activity.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Atkins Man Sentenced to More Than 19 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—James Baker will spend 235 months in federal prison for production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
On August 5, 2025, Baker, 28, of Atkins, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a 14-count Indictment on seven counts of production of CSAM and seven counts of receipt of CSAM. On March 4, 2026, Baker pleaded guilty to one count of production of CSAM. Judge Miller also sentenced Baker to five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On June 30, 2025, following a report to the child abuse hotline advising of inappropriate text messages between a 12-year-old minor female victim and a 27-year-old male, later identified as Baker, law enforcement initiated an investigation into Baker. Law enforcement discovered that Baker received numerous nude photographs and videos of the minor female victim. Officers also discovered text messages from Baker requesting the minor female victim send him sexually explicit photographs and videos.
Between July 5, 2025, and August 4, 2025, Baker conversed with a second minor female victim. The 16-year-old minor female victim and Baker discussed moving in together in a camper. Baker and the minor female victim also exchanged sexually explicit photographs. Baker, in one conversation, told the minor female victim that he would love to marry her after she turned 18. He further told the minor female victim that he lied to his friend because his friend would inform the police if he knew the minor female victim’s age.
In a meeting with his probation officer, Baker admitted that he was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a female he knew to be 12 years old and with another who was 16 years old. He also admitted that he sent and received nude photographs and videos. Baker further stated that he did not know why, but that he was attracted to younger girls.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. Parents are encouraged to always monitor your children’s online activity.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security with assistance from the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Arkansas Pathology Laboratory and Its Owners Pay $30M to Settle Allegations of Kickbacks and Unnecessary Medical TestingRead the Press Release
Advanced Pathology Solutions PLLC (formerly known as Advanced Pathology Solutions LLC), an anatomic pathology laboratory headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and its management services organization, APS MSO LLC (together, “APS”), along with current and former owners Kevin Hannah, Donell Burkett, and Daniel Hunter Pledger have agreed to pay a total of $30 million to the United States to resolve allegations that APS and its owners furnished unlawful kickbacks and ordered medically unnecessary pathology testing services.
“Healthcare referrals must be based on the best decision for patients, not the influence of kickbacks,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement demonstrates the Department’s commitment to hold accountable both corporations and individuals who profit from improper kickback arrangements and who burden federal healthcare programs with claims for medically unnecessary services.”
“Fraud against the taxpayer is rampant and insidious and when discovered must be held accountable. Engineering kickbacks to result in unnecessary medical testing which is then paid for by the United States taxpayer is unacceptable and once discovered as with APS, will result in lengthy investigation and review, and ultimately a significant settlement amount as demonstrated by this settlement,” said U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “Our office will continue to work with Main Justice to detect and deter any similar schemes and then hold the wrongdoers accountable under the law.”
“Any entity that participates in health care and reaps illicit profits by taking advantage of and violating the trust given by Medicare and Medicaid programs must be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “This settlement is notice that such illegal conduct simply will not be tolerated.”
“Kickbacks and medically unnecessary testing don’t just violate the law — they endanger patients and drain critical federal health care funds,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Schemes like this erode trust in the health care system and divert resources away from those who truly need care. HHS‑OIG will move swiftly and aggressively with our law enforcement partners to uncover these abuses and hold every responsible party accountable.”
The settlement resolves allegations made by the United States in a complaint filed on April 8, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. In its complaint, the United States alleged that, from 2015 through July 2022, APS and its owners violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by providing unlawful kickbacks to gastroenterology practices to induce the referral of pathology testing to APS resulting in false claims to federal healthcare programs. The government’s complaint focused on a business model developed by APS and its owners, in which APS set up and managed limited-purpose laboratories (known as “lean labs”) in gastroenterology practices nationwide that enabled the practices to bill for preparing and staining biopsy specimen slides. The complaint alleged that in exchange for various benefits furnished by APS, the gastroenterology practices agreed to exclusively refer their patients to APS by shipping their patients’ slides to APS’s lab in North Little Rock for pathologist interpretation and review. The United States alleged that the arrangements between APS and the gastroenterology practices were improper financial relationships through which APS provided kickbacks to induce the practices to steer their patients to APS.
The United States further alleged that APS and its owners submitted and caused the submission of claims to federal healthcare programs for unnecessary testing. Specifically, APS directed lean lab personnel to automatically order certain special tests (called “special stains”) before a pathologist reviewed a routine test (a hematoxylin and eosin stain) to determine whether additional testing was necessary. By following the special stain protocol, APS and the lean labs ordered special stains that were not medically reasonable and necessary and were ineligible for Medicare coverage or reimbursement. In many cases, APS would also order additional “confirmatory” immunohistochemical testing on patient samples it received from the lean labs, which was also not medically necessary.
In addition to resolving the allegations in the United States’ complaint, the settlement announced today also resolves allegations that from Nov. 1, 2018, to Nov. 30, 2020, APS and CEO Kevin Hannah knowingly and willfully provided unlawful kickbacks to an individual named Richard Sorgnard in the form of volume-based commission payments to induce the referral of patients to APS for epidermal nerve fiber density (“ENFD”) testing. Sorgnard, who previously entered into a settlement with the government to resolve related claims, encouraged medical providers and practices to order ENFD testing from APS for their patients, and in exchange, APS paid Sorgnard 4% of all payments APS collected for ENFD testing referred. The United States contends that this arrangement violated the Anti-Kickback Statute and resulted in false claims under the FCA.
In connection with the settlement, APS entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The CIA requires APS to implement numerous auditing and accountability provisions, including implementation of a robust compliance program, new training and education requirements, and a review of physician referral relationships.
The complaint follows three lawsuits that were originally filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the FCA. Under the FCA, private parties can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the recovery. The FCA permits the United States to intervene in and take over the action, as it has done here. If a defendant is found liable for violating the FCA, the United States may recover three times the amount of its losses plus applicable penalties.
The Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas are handling the matter. The consolidated cases are captioned United States ex rel. Watkins v. Advanced Pathology Solutions, No. 4:20-cv-1110 (E.D. Ark.); United States ex rel. Aucoin v. Advanced Pathology Solutions, No. 4:21-cv-277 (E.D. Ark.); and United States ex rel. Paulsen v. Advanced Pathology Solutions, LLC, No. 3:22-cv-00652-JPG (E.D. Ark.). This settlement follows a $4.75 million settlement reached earlier this year with Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, a gastroenterology practice and former client of APS.
The matter was handled by Fraud Section Attorneys Evan Ballan, Jeff McSorley, and Kelley Hauser of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Goss Dempsey for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Skirtich for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
The investigation and prosecution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Operation Viper Results in 39 Arrests, the Seizure of 35 Firearms, Large Quantities of Narcotics, Money, and Nine Federal IndictmentsRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—In coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Little Rock Field Office announce the results of Operation Viper. Operation Viper, a high-intensity fugitive apprehension initiative, resulted in 26 warrants executed, the arrests of 39 individuals, a seizure of 35 firearms, the seizure of $74,400 in illegal proceeds, approximately 100 pounds of marijuana, and large quantities of fentanyl and other illicit pills. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has indicted nine of individuals arrested for federal firearms violations.
“Together with our law enforcement partners, our office seeks to remove as many violent and repeat offenders from our communities as possible,” said U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “The success of this collaboration reflects the ongoing commitment of our office, law enforcement, and first responder partnerships to lower violent crime and the consistent pursuit of violent offenders across Arkansas.”
“The success of Operation Viper reflects the unwavering commitment of the FBI and our strong partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies throughout Arkansas,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Van Goor, FBI Little Rock Field Office. “Violent crime will not be tolerated in our state, and we will continue to aggressively target and hold accountable those who endanger our communities.”
On June 2, 2026, nine individuals arrested as part of Operation Viper were indicted by a federal grand jury, as follows:
Werrick Baines, 19, Jacksonville, Arkansas,
Kenny Lamar Branson, 41, Little Rock, Arkansas,
Ynohtna W. Carroll, 25, North Little Rock, Arkansas,
Leon Harris, 20, Little Rock, Arkansas,
Charles Edward Layton, III, 40, North Little Rock, Arkansas,
Jeffery Wayne Murdock, 41, Little Rock, Arkansas,
Terjun Tramaine Parker, 49, Alexander, Arkansas,
Zavier Marqise Rhodes, 23, North Little Rock, Arkansas, and
Kaylon Roshon Robinson, 27, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Federal charges for these individuals include felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a machinegun, and possession with intent to deliver marijuana.
In addition to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Arkansas, and FBI’s Little Rock Field Office, additional agencies involved in Operation Viper include, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, Arkansas State Police, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, White County Sheriff’s Office, Little Rock Police Department, North Little Rock Police Department, Pine Bluff Police Department, Arkansas Community Correction, and the STAR Team from the Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services.
*An Indictment is an allegation and all individuals named in the Indictment are innocent until proven guilty in a federal court of law.
# # #
This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Armed Career Criminal from Memphis Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal Prison for Bank Robbery and Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Freddy Najil, who robbed three banks at gunpoint in the span of three months, will spend the next 211 months in federal prison for bank robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Court Chief Judge Kristine G. Baker.
On June 6, 2024, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Arkansas charged Najil, 37, of Memphis, Tennessee, in a two-count Indictment with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of bank robbery. On March 4, 2025, a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Mississippi charged Najil in a six-count Indictment with two counts of bank robbery, two counts of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On May 9, 2025, Najil consented to the transfer of his Mississippi case to the Eastern District of Arkansas for plea and sentencing. On November 3, 2025, Najil pleaded guilty to bank robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to the 17-year and 7-month sentence, Chief Judge Baker also sentenced Najil to serve three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On February 9, 2024, officers with the Horn Lake (Mississippi) Police Department responded to a bank robbery at Renasant Bank. Witnesses advised and security footage confirmed the suspect, later identified as Najil, pointed a firearm at four different bank employees while demanding money. In total, Najil fled with approximately $2,724 from Renasant Bank.
On April 18, 2024, officers with the Southaven (Mississippi) Police Department responded to an armed robbery at the Securtrust Bank. The suspect, later identified as Najil, pointed a firearm at the bank teller, directed her “not to do anything stupid,” and fled with $12,251 from Securtrust Bank.
On May 3, 2024, officers with the West Memphis Police Department responded to an armed bank robbery at Evolve Bank. There, Najil pointed a firearm at employees, demanded money, and fled with $22,251. Hidden in the cash were GPS monitoring devices, which were used to locate and track Najil’s movements. West Memphis police officers and Arkansas State Police Troopers pursued the suspect in a black Infiniti GS3 into Memphis, where it crashed. Najil fled on foot, with money flying from his arms, until he was apprehended by authorities. Najil was located near loose bills and a .40 caliber pistol. At the scene, police recovered approximately $22,134 in U.S. currency.
During post-Miranda interviews, Najil admitted to officers that he robbed the banks in Horn Lake, Southaven, and West Memphis. He further admitted that he stole the vehicle he used to commit the bank robbery in West Memphis on May 3, 2024.
Najil’s multiple prior convictions for violent felonies and serious drug offenses classify him as an armed career criminal and therefore subject him to an enhanced sentence. His criminal history includes eight convictions for robbery with a dangerous weapon, six convictions for second-degree kidnapping, a conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, a conviction for possession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver, and a conviction for possession of cocaine.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Little Rock, Arkansas, and Jackson, Mississippi, Field Offices, with assistance from the Horn Lake Police Department, Southaven Police Department, Memphis Police Department, Arkansas State Police, and the West Memphis Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Eldridge for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde McGee, Senior Litigation Counsel, for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.
Armed Career Criminal from Memphis Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal Prison for Bank Robbery and Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Freddy Najil, who robbed three banks at gunpoint in the span of three months, will spend the next 211 months in federal prison for bank robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Court Chief Judge Kristine G. Baker.
On June 6, 2024, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Arkansas charged Najil, 37, of Memphis, Tennessee, in a two-count Indictment with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of bank robbery. On March 4, 2025, a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Mississippi charged Najil in a six-count Indictment with two counts of bank robbery, two counts of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On May 9, 2025, Najil consented to the transfer of his Mississippi case to the Eastern District of Arkansas for plea and sentencing. On November 3, 2025, Najil pleaded guilty to bank robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to the 17-year and 7-month sentence, Chief Judge Baker also sentenced Najil to serve three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On February 9, 2024, officers with the Horn Lake (Mississippi) Police Department responded to a bank robbery at Renasant Bank. Witnesses advised and security footage confirmed the suspect, later identified as Najil, pointed a firearm at four different bank employees while demanding money. In total, Najil fled with approximately $2,724 from Renasant Bank.
On April 18, 2024, officers with the Southaven (Mississippi) Police Department responded to an armed robbery at the Securtrust Bank. The suspect, later identified as Najil, pointed a firearm at the bank teller, directed her “not to do anything stupid,” and fled with $12,251 from Securtrust Bank.
On May 3, 2024, officers with the West Memphis Police Department responded to an armed bank robbery at Evolve Bank. There, Najil pointed a firearm at employees, demanded money, and fled with $22,251. Hidden in the cash were GPS monitoring devices, which were used to locate and track Najil’s movements. West Memphis police officers and Arkansas State Police Troopers pursued the suspect in a black Infiniti GS3 into Memphis, where it crashed. Najil fled on foot, with money flying from his arms, until he was apprehended by authorities. Najil was located near loose bills and a .40 caliber pistol. At the scene, police recovered approximately $22,134 in U.S. currency.
During post-Miranda interviews, Najil admitted to officers that he robbed the banks in Horn Lake, Southaven, and West Memphis. He further admitted that he stole the vehicle he used to commit the bank robbery in West Memphis on May 3, 2024.
Najil’s multiple prior convictions for violent felonies and serious drug offenses classify him as an armed career criminal and therefore subject him to an enhanced sentence. His criminal history includes eight convictions for robbery with a dangerous weapon, six convictions for second-degree kidnapping, a conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, a conviction for possession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver, and a conviction for possession of cocaine.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Little Rock, Arkansas, and Jackson, Mississippi, Field Offices, with assistance from the Horn Lake Police Department, Southaven Police Department, Memphis Police Department, Arkansas State Police, and the West Memphis Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Eldridge for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde McGee, Senior Litigation Counsel, for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Austin Woman Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Theft of More Than $1.7 Million from a Federally Funded Non-Profit OrganizationRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Star Rana Jackson, who was employed for more than ten years at the American Indian Center of Arkansas (AICA) and for a period of time served as the Executive Director before her termination, will spend the next 48 months in federal prison for wire fraud. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, by United States District Judge D.P. Marshall, Jr.
On January 14, 2026, an Information was filed with the federal district court charging Jackson, 50, of Austin, with one count of wire fraud. Jackson pleaded guilty that same day to the charge in the Information. Judge Marshall also sentenced Jackson to three years’ supervised release and ordered Jackson to pay $1,788,858.99 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system.
The AICA is a non-profit organization entirely funded by federal grants from the Department of Labor, Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services. The AICA provides services to indigenous people living in Arkansas, as well as others in need. After having been employed by AICA for several years, Jackson was appointed executive director in October 2022 before being terminated in May 2025. While serving as Executive Director, Jackson was the sole person with access to the federal payment management system and who completed withdrawals for grants that were awarded to AICA.
An investigation revealed that during her tenure as Executive Director of AICA, Jackson completed a withdrawal of funds on approximately June 24, 2024, from the Department of Education grant in the amount of $30,000. The grant funds were deposited into an account opened by Jackson and without the knowledge of AICA’s Board of Directors. On or about June 27, 2024, Jackson completed another withdrawal of funds from a Department of Health and Human Services grant in the amount of $40,000. Those grant funds were deposited into a non-active AICA account that Jackson still had access to, along with grant funds from the Department of Education in the amount of $15,000 on or about July 1, 2024. Through the investigation, it was determined that Jackson used an online payment platform to send a payment of $10,000 to a separate financial institution using a bank account that was in the name of Jackson and her husband.
Jackson made several withdrawals of grant funds over a period of three months while serving as Executive Director and completed approximately 180 deposits directly from AICA accounts for her own personal use. The investigation also revealed Jackson purchased cashier’s checks with AICA funds to make unauthorized purchases and used AICA funds to pay for unauthorized subscription streaming services. Jackson embezzled over $1.7 million of the grant funds.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Uncovers Methamphetamine Conspiracy that Results in New York Man Being Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Orlando Nembhard will spend the next 135 months in federal prison for his role in a multi-state, cross-country conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, by United States District Chief Judge Kristine G. Baker.
On December 3, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a five-count Indictment charging Nembhard, 34, of Mt. Vernon, New York, with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Nembhard’s co-defendant, Joe Brandon, of Newport, Arkansas, is awaiting jury trial and was also charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
On January 6, 2026, Nembhard pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Chief Judge Baker also sentenced Nembhard to serve five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On May 13, 2024, Dallas, Texas, Police Department officers were working interdiction at the airport. Officers randomly deployed a K9 to perform an open-air sniff on luggage from various flights. The K9 alerted on a suitcase originating from Phoenix, Arizona, and destined for Little Rock, Arkansas. Officers removed the suitcase and discovered 10 vacuum-sealed bundles, approximately 7.6 kilograms in total, that contained white crystalline substances. The substance was tested and determined to be methamphetamine. Through an investigation, several latent prints lifted from the items identified Brandon.
Homeland Security (HSI) agents in Little Rock, Dallas, and Phoenix began an investigation into Brandon and the origin and source of the methamphetamine. The investigation revealed that the suitcase had been checked at the Phoenix airport under Nembhard’s name. The suitcase and an airline ticket for Nembhard and Brandon were connected to a credit card for Nembhard. A review of video surveillance from the Phoenix airport showed Nembhard arriving with Brandon. Nembhard and Brandon unloaded two suitcases from a vehicle. Nembhard checked the two suitcases and both he and Brandon purchased tickets to Little Rock with a connection through Dallas. While Brandon boarded the plane destined for Little Rock, Nembhard left the airport and never boarded the flight to Little Rock.
On July 24, 2024, agents conducting surveillance observed Nembhard driving Brandon to the Phoenix airport where Brandon checked a suitcase and flew back to Little Rock. At the airport in Little Rock, agents deployed a K9 to conduct an open-air sniff of several suitcases coming off the flight. The K9 alerted to a black suitcase with Brandon’s name on the tag. The bag was placed on the luggage carousel and Brandon was observed taking the bag to exit the airport. As officers approached Brandon, he ripped the name tag off the suitcase and attempted to flee but was apprehended and placed into custody. Agents conducted a search of the suitcase and located 120,000 fentanyl pills in 10 heat-sealed bags that weighed 24 pounds.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Little Rock, HSTF Dallas, and HSTF Phoenix comprises agents and officers from the Little Rock Police Department, Dallas (Texas) Police Department, and Chandler (Arizona) Police Department with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
The investigation was conducted by HSTF Little Rock, with assistance from HSTF Dallas, HSTF Phoenix, the Little Rock Police Department, the Dallas Police Department, and the Chandler Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bart Dickinson.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Devin Adams, a multi-convicted felon, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge D. P. Marshall, Jr.
A federal grand jury indicted Adams, 32, of Alexander, in a one-count Superseding Indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On October 29, 2025, Adams pleaded guilty to the charge in the Superseding Indictment. Judge Marshall also sentenced Adams to two years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that officers with the Little Rock Police Department observed a vehicle driven by Adams speeding and conducted a traffic stop. Officers learned during the traffic stop that Adams was on probation and had a search waiver on file. When asked by officers to exit the vehicle, Adams complied and advised officers he had two hydrocodone pills in his pocket. Upon a search of Adams’ person, officers located the two hydrocodone pills, an oxycodone pill, and a loaded Kel Tec, model P11 9mm firearm in his pants.
Adams has at least three prior convictions for a felony drug offense and is therefore classified as an armed career criminal. His criminal history includes one conviction for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and five convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Little Rock Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reese Lancaster.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Russellville Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Douglas Scott Reeves, who has a lengthy criminal history, including a previous federal drug conviction, will spend the next 120 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today, by United States District Judge D. P. Marshall, Jr.
On December 5, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a four-count Indictment charging Reeves, 52, of Russellville, with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, with an enhancement for a prior conviction for a serious drug felony; two counts of distribution of fentanyl; and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
On December 19, 2025, Reeves pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl with an enhancement for a prior serious drug felony conviction. Judge Marshall also sentenced Reeves to serve eight years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Between 2021 and 2023, law enforcement officers received information that Reeves was obtaining fentanyl tablets and fentanyl powder, which he used to manufacture his own fentanyl tablets, for distribution. Officers conducted multiple controlled buys of fentanyl from Reeves at his residence in Russellville, which were recorded. On September 27, 2023, Reeves fled when officers executed a search warrant at his residence. During a search of Reeves’ residence, officers located fentanyl, psilocybin mushrooms, and drug distribution paraphernalia. Reeves admitted he distributed at least 280 grams of fentanyl and that he had used Narcan on at least 18 people while they were overdosing.
Reeves has an extensive criminal history that includes a federal conviction out of the Eastern District of Arkansas on February 14, 2013, for possession of equipment/chemicals to manufacture methamphetamine. His sentence included three years’ supervised release, and his supervised release was revoked twice. Reeves’ criminal history dates back to the early 1990s and includes multiple convictions for burglary, theft of property, and theft by receiving, criminal mischief in the first degree, fleeing, two convictions for possession of methamphetamine, and two convictions for delivery of methamphetamine.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police, and the Russellville Police Department.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Mabelvale Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Johnny Lee Underwood will spend the next 240 months in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
On August 1, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Indictment charging Underwood, 27, of Mabelvale, with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and one count of distribution of fentanyl. On February 4, 2026, Underwood pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Judge Miller also sentenced Underwood to three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On June 30, 2023, officers from the Little Rock Police Department responded to an emergency call regarding a suspected overdose. Upon arrival at the scene, officers observed paramedics attempt to revive the victim, but their efforts were unsuccessful. During their investigation, officers learned the victim ingested a blue pill that contained fentanyl earlier in the day. Officers located the victim’s wallet, and recovered a small, blue pill stamped with “M/30” and appeared similar to the brand-name pharmaceutical-grade oxycodone.
Additional investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed that Underwood sold approximately four counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl to the victim and the victim’s girlfriend. Within hours of purchasing the pills from Underwood, the victim ingested a portion of a pill, overdosed, and died. An autopsy conducted by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory determined the victim’s cause of death as fentanyl toxicity.
“Sadly, here is yet another proof that “One pill can kill”. Fentanyl and additional emerging synthetic opioids are deadly poisons being sent into our country from other nations who want to kill as many Americans as possible. These toxic drugs are harmful to our citizens, and especially so for those who are struggling with addiction,” said Ross. “But an addiction should not equate to death; and for those like Underwood who knowingly sell fentanyl and someone dies as a result, our office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold you accountable.”
“Fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities across Arkansas, and those responsible for spreading this poison will be held accountable,” said Jason Van Goor, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Little Rock Field Office. “The FBI, alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, will continue working tirelessly to remove dangerous drugs from our streets and pursue individuals who profit from putting lives at risk.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, with assistance from the Little Rock Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Fields.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Pine Bluff Woman Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Theft of More Than $400,000 from Bank's CustomersRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Laura Parrish, who was employed by the bank for more than seven years before her termination, will spend the next thirty-six months in federal prison for bank theft. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today, by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
On December 4, 2025, an Information was filed with the federal district court charging Parrish, 59, Pine Bluff, with one count of bank theft. Parrish pleaded guilty that same day to the charge in the Information. Judge Miller also sentenced Parrish to three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that between November 2016 and January 2024, Parrish was an employee of a local bank and used customer funds to make payments on her personal credit cards and transfer funds to her external online financial account. Parrish also opened personal credits cards in the names of other people and used the accounts of the bank’s customers to make payments on those credit cards.
An investigation further revealed that between August 31, 2021, through April 18, 2023, Parrish embezzled funds from one family, including one family member who was deceased, in the approximate amount of $364,000. Parrish used these funds to make payments on her personal credit cards and loans to benefit herself, her business, Southern Roots and Blooms, or accounts held in the names of her husband, daughter, and other family members. On January 24, 2023, Parrish submitted a credit card application for a retail credit card using the name, date of birth, and social security number of one of the bank’s customers. Parrish placed her address and phone number on the application and between February 2023 and January 2024, made payments totaling $15,000 on the credit card. This bank customer passed away in March 2023, and Parrish continued to embezzle funds from this account. Between July 2021 and January 2024, Parrish embezzled approximately $413,871.40 from eight bank customers.
“This individual abused a position of trust to steal from hardworking Arkansans, including some of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Jason Van Goor, Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). “The FBI will continue working with our partners to hold fraudsters accountable and pursue justice for victims.”
“Laura Parrish abused her bank position to embezzle funds from innocent customers for her own benefit and has now been brought to justice,” said John T. Perez, Special Agent in Charge, Headquarters Operations, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (FRB-CFPB OIG). “This sentence should serve as a warning that we will vigorously pursue bank insiders who defraud financial institutions regulated and supervised by the Federal Reserve Board. We are proud to have worked with our federal law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to achieve this result.”
“It is especially concerning when bank insiders abuse their positions of trust to victimize unwitting bank customers, as was the case with Ms. Parrish” said Jeff Thomson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General’s (FDIC OIG) Dallas Region. “The FDIC OIG will continue to join with our colleagues in ensuring that those who selfishly steal for personal gain are held accountable.”
“Laura Parrish took advantage of her position at the bank to take money that did not belong to her and caused significant damage to the bank and its most vulnerable customers impacted by her brazen act of theft,” United States Attorney Ross said. “Our office will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to see that employees like Parrish who elect to violate their fiduciary obligations are held accountable for their criminal acts that negatively and significantly impact bank operations and its customers.”
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Career Offender from Morrilton Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Aaron Lynn Parks, who previously served a 71-month federal prison sentence for distribution of methamphetamine, committed a new methamphetamine offense while on supervised release and this time received a 156-month sentence. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
A federal grand jury indicted Parks, 43, of Morrilton, in a one-count Indictment with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. On December 17, 2025, Parks pleaded guilty to a one-count Superseding Information charging him with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more, but less than 500 grams, of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Judge Miller also sentenced Parks to five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on July 11, 2024, law enforcement officers on patrol came upon a vehicle that did not have insurance. Officers activated their blue lights to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle. The driver, later identified as Parks, pulled into a service station in Conway and fled from the scene through the woods. While fleeing from officers, Parks was observed tossing a bag. Officers secured the bag that contained 443.7 grams of methamphetamine.
Officers were unable to locate the suspect after he fled but confirmed that the registered owner of the vehicle was Parks. Officers compared the suspect to Parks’ driver’s license photo and known physical features and found them to match. The vehicle was parked at an impound lot and remained unclaimed. Inside of the vehicle, officers located two cell phones, one of which utilized the same phone number Parks had provided to his federal probation officer. That cellphone contained communications regarding the distribution of methamphetamine.
Parks has at least two prior convictions for a violent felony or serious drug offense and is therefore classified as a career offender. His criminal history includes a December 21, 2020, federal drug conviction where he received a sentence of 71 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. At the time of his arrest in this case, Parks was on supervised release for the 2020 federal conviction.
Parks’ criminal history also includes a conviction for possession of cocaine, conviction for driving while intoxicated, a conviction for possession with intent to deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, a conviction for delivery of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver, and a conviction for delivery of methamphetamine or cocaine and possession of methamphetamine or cocaine with purpose to deliver.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Conway Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Little Rock Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Tommy Avance, a multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 240 months in federal prison after his conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
On July 2, 2024, Avance, 41, of Little Rock, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a four-count Indictment for possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon in possession of firearms, and being in possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. On October 28, 2025, Avance pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Avance to five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On March 26, 2024, the Conway Police Department, while conducting surveillance on a known drug distributor’s residence, investigators observed a vehicle arrive at the residence only to leave minutes later, which was suggestive of drug activity. Officers followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. During contact with Avance, officers detected the odor of marijuana and observed Avance behaving nervously. Avance then fled from the officers, leading them on a high-speed pursuit. Officers used spike strips to stop Avance and once in custody, officers located two bags of cocaine and one bag of methamphetamine on his person.
During a post-Miranda interview with officers, Avance admitted to purchasing significant quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine. During the investigation, officers became aware that Avance was on active parole with a search waiver on file. Officers then conducted a search of Avance’s residence in Conway. During the search, officers located 1,451 grams of methamphetamine. Also located during the search of Avance’s residence were two firearms, a Ruger, model LC9, 9mm caliber firearm and a Taurus, model G3, 9mm caliber firearm, which was previously reported stolen in 2023 to the Benton Police Department.
Avance’s criminal history includes possession of cocaine, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of a firearm by certain persons, and a July 19, 2012, federal felony conviction out of the Western District of Arkansas for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Conway Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reese Lancaster.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Second Conviction for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Tracy Daniels, who had just completed a term of supervised release after serving 39 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, is heading back to prison after a second federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. This time, Daniels will spend 10 years in federal prison. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
A federal grand jury indicted Daniels, 34, of Mabelvale, in a four-count Indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On October 20, 2025, Daniels pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Daniels to three years’ supervised release for this conviction. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on December 30, 2024, officers with the Jacksonville Police Department received a call regarding an attempted residential burglary. Upon arrival at the residence, officers met with the homeowner who stated the suspect, later identified as Daniels, walked up to the residence, kicked in the front door, and entered the residence. Once inside the residence, the family dog began to bark, which scared Daniels away. Officers reviewed two videos from the homeowner’s video camera that showed Daniels in the home. Officers observed a muddy shoe print on the front door.
After broadcasting a description of Daniels to other officers, Daniels was then observed entering into the passenger side of a vehicle at a convenience store in Jacksonville. Officers approached Daniels and removed him from the vehicle. Officers asked Daniels to see the bottom of his shoe and the pattern matched what was observed on the front door of the residence. When officers asked Daniels to provide his identity, he gave them false names and dates of births. Officers were able to positively identify Daniels through a fingerprint scanner provided by the Arkansas State Police.
Officers placed Daniels under arrest and conducted a search of the area near the vehicle where Daniels had been seated and located a .38 caliber firearm underneath a black plastic bag in the passenger side floorboard. The driver of the vehicle stated to officers that the firearm belonged to Daniels. Prior to transporting Daniels to the Pulaski County Detention Facility, officers conducted a search of Daniels’ person and discovered he had concealed a shopping bag containing a Ziplock bag with approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine and smaller baggies containing cocaine.
In addition to the June 15, 2021, federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Daniels’ criminal history also includes a conviction for robbery and first-degree battery.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Jacksonville Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reese Lancaster.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Little Rock Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of a Postal EmployeeRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Christopher Juan Sheard will spend the next 121 months in federal prison for the armed robbery of a postal employee. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
A Superseding Information was filed on December 1, 2025, charging Sheard, 23, of Little Rock, with one count of armed robbery of a postal employee. Sheard pleaded guilty to the charge on December 1, 2025. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Sheard to serve three years’ supervised release and ordered restitution in the amount of $44,614.67. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on February 26, 2024, Sheard, armed with a loaded Glock 20, model Gen 5 firearm equipped with an extended magazine, robbed a postal carrier of their postal key. The postal carrier was delivering mail to an apartment complex when Sheard approached with his hand on a pistol which was tucked into his waistband. Subsequent to Sheard’s arrest while incarcerated, he made several phone calls to different individuals discussing selling the postal key for cash and the robbery. In one phone call, Sheard stated they need to “find [the postal employee] on Facebook and chop [the postal employee] down.”
Sheard’s criminal history includes convictions for possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver, felony fleeing, and obstruction of governmental operations.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Little Rock Police Department.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison After Conviction for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Corbin Vincent, a multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 180 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence which was handed down today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
On November 4, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted Vincent, 37, of Hot Springs, in a one-count Superseding Indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm. After a two-day jury trial, Vincent was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Vincent to serve three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
During the jury trial, it was revealed that agents in the Intensive Supervision Program received a photograph that was a screenshot from a social media platform showing Vincent, who was on active parole, displaying a firearm. When Vincent arrived at his appointment at his parole office, agents detained him and conducted a search of his person and his vehicle. During a search of Vincent’s vehicle, agents located in the backseat a backpack containing Vincent’s identification card and a Taurus G2C .40 caliber firearm with one round in the chamber and equipped with a magazine loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition. Vincent admitted to agents that the firearm belonged to him and that he had purchased it from a friend for approximately $200 because he needed to protect himself.
Vincent has at least three prior convictions for violent felonies and is therefore classified as an armed career criminal and qualifies for an enhanced sentence. His criminal history includes state felony convictions for possession of firearms by certain persons and four robberies that occurred within a span of one week in 2007.
This case was investigated by the ATF with assistance from the North Little Rock Police Department and the Division of Community Correction. This case was prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Michael Gordon and Assistant United States Attorney Stacy Williams.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Missouri Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Threatening a Federal Judge and a Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Michael Buck, a multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 300 months in federal prison for threatening a federal judge, a federal law enforcement officer and their families. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down yesterday by Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker.
On February 4, 2025, Buck, 53, of Glenallen, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a five-count Second Superseding Indictment for threatening a federal judge, threatening family of a federal judge, threatening a federal law enforcement officer, threatening family of a federal law enforcement officer, and false statements to a federal law enforcement officer. On April 29, 2025, Buck pleaded guilty to the five counts in the Second Superseding Indictment. Chief Judge Baker also sentenced Buck to three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
In March 2025, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated Buck, who was then an inmate in the Federal Correctional Institution in Forrest City, Arkansas, for making various threats and statements about his intent to kill numerous people upon his pending release from prison. In a surreptitious recording at the federal correctional institution, Buck can be heard making numerous violent threats against the federal judge who sentenced Buck in his 2008 commercial sex trafficking case in the Western District of Missouri. Buck also threatened to kill the former federal prosecutor who had prosecuted Buck’s case, and also family members of both the judge and the former federal prosecutor.
The recording then captures Buck admitting that he has used a contraband prison phone to locate his victims and that he has already called one of them to verify his information and that he hung up the call once he could hear their voice on the call.
Buck has a significant violent criminal history and had served nearly 17 years in prison and was due to be released soon from federal prison. As his release date neared, he continued to make threats and tell people he was going to kill the judge, the prosecutor, their families, and the victims from his previous case in 2008 in the Western District of Missouri where he was convicted of trafficking into involuntary servitude and coerced commercial sex trafficking. Buck’s criminal history includes convictions for second-degree burglary, assault, simple assault, domestic violence, resisting arrest and creating a substantial risk of injury/death to any person, and violation of an order of protection.
“Threats to kill public officials and their families for simply doing their jobs will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Ross. “Here, once law enforcement learned that in addition to the defendant’s grotesque threats to murder and torture family members of the public officials involved in his original commercial sex trafficking conviction, that the defendant had also taken steps to locate his intended victims just as he was about to be released from prison, quick action was taken to prevent his release and to notify everyone involved to take precautionary measures. We are grateful for the brave witness that came forward to notify law enforcement of Buck’s wicked plans and also the investigation by the United States Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Prisons that resulted in stopping Buck from the evil he intended to carry out. We are thankful that the court recognized that Buck is a sadistic and dangerous individual that needs to be removed from society for an additional 25 years.”
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the United States Marshals, and the Bureau of Prisons. The case was prosecuted by United States Attorney Jonathan D. Ross and Assistant United States Attorney Bart Dickinson, along with other Assistant United States Attorneys in the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Arkansas.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Jacksonville Woman Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Jena Marie Osborn, a multi-convicted felon, who is currently serving a state prison sentence for possession of drug paraphernalia, will spend 240 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine after completion of the state sentence. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was recently handed down on April 1, 2026, by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
On November 4, 2025, a one-count Information was filed charging Osborn, 46, of Jacksonville, with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Osborn pleaded guilty on November 4, 2025, to the count in the Information. Judge Moody also sentenced Osborn to five years’ supervised release. On July 14, 2025, Osborn was sentenced to 60 months in state prison and will begin her federal sentence at the completion of the state sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
In May 2025, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) utilized a confidential source (CS) to infiltrate a large-scale methamphetamine distributor. An investigation revealed that an unknown female, later identified as Osborn, agreed to sell large quantities of methamphetamine to the CS. The DEA conducted controlled buys from Osborn on two separate occasions with Osborn selling the CS over a pound of methamphetamine each time.
On June 5, 2025, DEA planned another controlled buy of over a pound of methamphetamine from Osborn. Through ariel surveillance, agents observed Osborn leave the suspected stash house carrying a large bag of suspected narcotics and get into a vehicle she had previously been seen in during the investigation. A short time later, deputies from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Osborn’s vehicle. During the stop, a K9 was deployed who conducted a free air sniff on the vehicle. After the K9 alerted to the vehicle, deputies searched the vehicle and located several bags of suspected methamphetamine. The DEA lab confirmed the bags contained a total of 568.8 grams of methamphetamine.
Osborn has at least two prior convictions for serious drug offenses and is classified as a career offender and is therefore subject to an enhanced sentence. In addition to Osborn’s previous state conviction for possession of drug paraphernalia, Osborn has felony convictions for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, possession of firearm by certain persons, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, maintaining a drug premises, exposing a child to methamphetamine, exposing a child to a chemical substance, criminal attempt to manufacture methamphetamine, and fleeing.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA with assistance from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reese Lancaster.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Defendant Who Conspired to Traffick Methamphetamine in Northeast Arkansas Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
JONESBORO—Amie Dawn Eggers of Jonesboro will spend the next 132 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence which was handed today by United States District Court Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
On April 4, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted Eggers, 41, along with eight others. On September 29, 2025, Eggers pleaded guilty to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation to combat a significant drug distribution organization operating in the Northeast Arkansas area. As a result of the investigation, agents seized 45 pounds of methamphetamine, 10 pounds of marijuana, one pound of cocaine, six firearms, various ammunition, and $125,000 in drug proceeds. During arrest operations on April 16, 2024, agents recovered additional methamphetamine, three firearms (one of which was defaced), ammunition, and approximately an additional $28,000 in suspected drug proceeds
During the investigation, agents learned that Eggers was a member of a criminal organization that was distributing methamphetamine throughout the Northeast Arkansas area. Through the investigation, agents learned that Eggers travelled to Houston, Texas, in December 2022, to purchase large quantities of methamphetamine from the organization’s leader, Cesar Cortez-Rocha. Agents conducted surveillance on Eggers and observed her traveling back to Arkansas on December 29, 2022. Agents conducted a traffic stop in Malvern, Arkansas, and after waiving her Miranda rights, Eggers admitted to possessing methamphetamine and marijuana in the vehicle. The DEA Southeast Laboratory confirmed it was methamphetamine, and the total weight was 921.5 grams.
Eggers’s criminal history includes a federal conviction in the Western District of Arkansas on August 6, 2024, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and received a 156-month sentence of imprisonment and three years’ supervised release. Eggers also has state felony convictions for possession of drug paraphernalia, breaking or entering, possession of methamphetamine, possession of Xanax with purpose to deliver, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and misdemeanor convictions for possession of clonazepam without a prescription, driving while intoxicated, third-degree assault, theft of property, and fraudulent use of a credit or debit card.
On October 6, 2025, Cortez-Rocha was sentenced to a total of 405 months’ imprisonment in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Cortez-Rocha to a total of five year’s supervised release.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Little Rock Field Office comprises agents and officers from Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, 2nd Judicial District Drug Task Force, Jonesboro Police Department, Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Federal Operation Targeting Gun Violence in Helena-West Helena Leads to Seven Men IndictedRead the Press Release
HELENA-WEST HELENA—An ongoing investigation into gun violence in the Helena-West Helena area has led to the arrests of seven individuals alleged to have illegally possessed, and in some cases used, firearms. Several of the defendants also face federal drug charges after today’s early-morning arrest operation that was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Jonathan D. Ross, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the unsealing of seven indictments that were returned by a federal Grand Jury sitting in Helena-West Helena on March 5, 2026. The indictments were returned against the following individuals:
• Jacarius Ross, 34, of Helena-West Helena, charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime in Case Number 2:26-CR-00007-KGB.
• Dmarkus Britton, 38, of Helena-West Helena, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act weapon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime in Case Number 2:26-CR-00005-JM.
• Michael Harris, 44, of Helena-West Helena, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime in Case Number 2:26-CR-00008-DPM.
• Lawrence Bennett, 34, of Helena-West Helena, charged with felon in possession of a firearm in Case Number 2:26-CR-00004-BSM.
• Jordan Walker, 34, of Helena-West Helena, charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime in Case Number 2:26-CR-00010-BSM.
• Kevin Williams, 50, of Helena-West Helena, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime in Case Number 2:26-CR-00011-BSM.
• Kamarius Landrum, 23, of Marvell, charged with felon in possession of a firearm in Case Number 2:26-CR-0009-LPR.
Landrum was in previous state custody and arraigned by United States Magistrate Judge Edie R. Ervin on March 12. The other six defendants appeared before Judge Ervin today in Helena-West Helena and were given trial dates. Bennett, Walker, and Williams were arrested this morning. Ross, Britton, and Harris were in state custody on other charges and brought to federal court today. All seven defendants remain detained.
“Combating gun crime remains one of our office’s highest priorities. We are grateful to the hard work of the FBI and the Helena-West Helena Police Department that went into presenting these cases to the grand jury,” Ross said. “By continuing to work with our law enforcement partners, today’s operation underscores our commitment to making communities safer.”
“Violent offenders will be held accountable, and we will use every available resource to bring them to justice,” FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge Jason Van Goor said. “The FBI Little Rock Field Office remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to protect Arkansans from those who threaten our communities.”
The cases unsealed today all stem from local investigations into gun and drug crimes, and at least two cases involved active shooting scenes. All agencies involved in today’s operation continue to investigate gun crimes in the region, and more indictments are expected.
“I want to personally thank our partners with the FBI, Arkansas State Police, and U.S. Attorney’s office,” Helena-West Helena Police Chief Quanderius Sanders said. “Let this serve as a message: individuals who choose to engage in criminal activity in our city will be identified, pursued, and held accountable.”
The crime of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, or fentanyl, as charged in these indictments, carries a penalty of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $1,000,000, and not less than three years of supervised release. Felon in possession of a firearm carries a penalty of not more than 15 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, and not less than three years of supervised release. Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime has a penalty of not less than five years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine of not more than $250,000, and not more than five years of supervised release. Possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act weapon carries a penalty of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, and not more than three years of supervised release.
Today’s operation was led by the FBI, with assistance from the Helena-West Helena Police Department and the Arkansas State Police.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bart Dickinson, Lauren Eldridge, Ashley Bowen, and Reese Lancaster.
An indictment contains only allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Little Rock Man Who Led Police on High-Speed Chase with Kilograms of Fentanyl in Car Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—A drug dealer who led police on a chase reaching speeds of 114 miles per hour with multiple kilograms of fentanyl and a firearm in his car will spend 140 months in federal prison. Clifford Siglar, 38, of Little Rock, was sentenced today by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which also included five years of supervised release.
A grand jury indicted Siglar on September 11, 2024, charging him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Siglar pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl on October 1, 2025.
A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation revealed that Siglar was distributing fentanyl out of a residence in Little Rock. In the summer 2024, officers observed Clifford conducting what they believed to be narcotics sales. On August 26, 2024, officers saw Clifford at the residence known for drug sales place what was believed to be narcotics in his vehicle, a black Chevrolet Camaro. Officers then attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the Camaro.
Siglar noticed the presence of law enforcement before officers could initiate a traffic stop and fled. Officers with the Little Rock Police Department and Arkansas State Police (ASP) joined in the pursuit of Siglar, with the chase reaching speeds over 114 miles per hour. An ASP trooper immobilized the Camaro, which then crashed into trees. Siglar was ejected from the car and continued to flee on foot before being caught by police.
Law enforcement searched the Camaro and located a .57-caliber handgun on the driver’s floorboard and a backpack in the trunk of the vehicle which contained approximately 2.6 kilograms of fentanyl and scales. Fentanyl can be used and sold in doses as small as one-tenth of a gram, which would have resulted in more than 26,000 individual doses of fentanyl from the backpack seized.
Siglar has a prior felony conviction for possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver.
The case was investigated by the DEA, along with the Little Rock Police Department and Arkansas State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Eldridge.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Two Defendants Involved in Pharmacy Burglary Ring Across Multiple States Are Sentenced to Serve a Combined Time of More Than 25 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Antoinen Dion Hampton and Reginald Tremayne Jackson, both of Houston, Texas, will spend a combined time of 308 months in federal prison for their role in a criminal organization that was responsible for dozens of pharmacy burglaries and stolen controlled substances worth millions of dollars. Jonathan D. Ross, United States attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentences, which were handed down today by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
Hampton, 39, who is a multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 188 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, and other Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Jackson, 35, who was serving a 36-month federal sentence in the Western District of Missouri at the time of his arrest, will spend another 120 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, and other Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances.
On November 8, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Hampton and Jackson, along with 16 other defendants, and on July 2, 2024, the indictment was superseded to add an additional 24 defendants. On October 23, 2025, Hampton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, and other Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering. On September 4, 2025, Jackson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, and other Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances.
An investigation revealed that Hampton and Jackson were involved in a drug trafficking organization that included documented gang members from the 5th Ward area in Houston, Texas. Investigators discovered more than 96,000 tablets of Schedule II controlled substances—including oxycodone, hydrocodone, Adderall, and others—were stolen were stolen from pharmacies throughout the United States, including pharmacies Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, and Florida. The street value of all controlled substances stolen by the organization in the Arkansas burglaries alone is close to $1.6 million. Investigators also seized six firearms, approximately $79,000 in U.S. currency, and custom jewelry retailing approximately $330,000. The quantity of Schedule II controlled substances stolen from pharmacies and distributed has a street value of more than $12,000,000.
Hampton’s criminal history includes several felony convictions for burglary with intent to commit theft, burglary of a building with intent to commit theft, and burglary of a dwelling structure. Hampton participated in over 50 burglaries in pharmacies across the United States, including in Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Utah, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and Wyoming.
Because Jackson has at least two prior convictions for a violent felony or serious drug offense, he is classified as a career offender. Jackson participated in 10 burglaries of pharmacies across Arkansas and Oklahoma. Jackson’s criminal history includes a September 20, 2023, federal conviction for burglary of a business premises registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and he was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison, three years’ supervised release, and ordered to pay $9,347.45 in restitution. Jackson has felony state convictions for second-degree robbery and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.
Judge Miller also sentenced Hampton and Jackson each to three years’ supervised release. Restitution will be ordered at a later date. There is no parole in the federal system.
On September 4, 2024, Keith Wayne Brown, 36, of Humble, Texas, who was the leader of the pharmacy burglary ring, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering. On January 16, 2025, Judge Miller sentenced Brown to serve 209 months, over 17 years, in federal prison, three years’ supervised release, and ordered him to pay $272,937.42 in restitution.
On April 18, 2025, Judge Miller sentenced Alexis Simone Garner, 33, also from Houston, to serve one year and one day in federal prison for conspiracy to money launder. Judge Miller also sentenced Garner to three years’ supervised release and ordered her to pay $67,572.73 in restitution.
Investigators with the DEA, Little Rock District Office, worked in conjunction with the following law enforcement partners:
DEA New Orleans Division (Little Rock District Office, Fayetteville Resident Office, Shreveport Resident Office, Mobile Resident Office),
DEA Special Operations Division,
DEA Houston Division (Houston TDS Group, Galveston Resident Office),
DEA Omaha Division,
DEA Rocky Mountain Division (Salt Lake City District Office, Cheyenne Resident Office),
DEA Atlanta Division (Columbia District Office),
DEA Miami Division (Pensacola District Office),
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Little Rock Field Office,
FBI Cast Team,
U.S. Marshals Service,
Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics,
Harris County Sheriff’s Office,
League City Police Department (Dickinson, Texas),
Houston (Texas) Police Department Northeast Division Crime Suppression Team,
Houston (Texas) Police Department CID, and
Arkansas State Police.
The case is being prosecuted in the Eastern District of Arkansas by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Fields.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Little Rock comprises agents and officers from state and local task force agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Illegal Alien from Guatemala Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Being an Alien in Possession of a Firearm and Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Juan Carlos Contreras-Najarro will spend the next 48 months in federal prison after being convicted of being an alien in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge D. P. Marshall, Jr.
On March 5, 2024, Contreras-Najarro, 32, of Guatemala, but residing in Little Rock, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a two-count Indictment on being an alien in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm. Contreras-Najarro pleaded guilty on January 21, 2025, to both counts in the Indictment. Judge Marshall also sentenced Contreras-Najarro to three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on January 20, 2024, officers from the Little Rock Police Department observed a stolen Honda driven by Contreras-Najarro and conducted a traffic stop. Officers asked Contreras-Najarro if the stolen vehicle belonged to him and Contreras-Najarro told officers the vehicle was “given to him.” During a search of Contreras-Najarro’s person, officers located a bag containing a small amount of methamphetamine. In the vehicle officers located a defaced Lorcin .380 caliber firearm between the console and driver’s seat. Officers also located in the trunk of the vehicle a suitcase containing three glass smoking devices and located a bag of marijuana inside a jacket on the passenger seat, two credit cards belonging to two victims, and five individual checks belonging to five separate victims. A further investigation revealed that Contreras-Najarro was a convicted felon who entered the United States illegally approximately 13 or 14 years ago.
Contreras-Najarro’s criminal history includes felony convictions for possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver, possession of fentanyl with purpose to deliver, possession of hydrocodone with purpose to deliver, and second-degree forgery.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Department of Homeland Security with assistance from the Little Rock Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shelby Shelton.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Shabazz Naeem Caradine, a multi-convicted felon, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge D. P. Marshall, Jr.
A federal grand jury indicted Caradine, 35, of North Little Rock, in a two-count Indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun. On October 16, 2025, Caradine pleaded guilty to the two counts in the Indictment. In addition to the 15-year sentence, Caradine also received a 10-year sentence for possession of a machinegun, with the two sentences to be served concurrently. Judge Marshall also sentenced Caradine to three years’ supervised release for each count. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on August 16, 2024, officers with the North Little Rock Police Department observed Caradine riding a bicycle at night without a red light on the back in the middle of Highway 161 in North Little Rock. Officers conducted a stop to advise Caradine of the dangers of operating a bicycle in the roadway without proper equipment. While talking with Caradine, officers observed Caradine sweating profusely, crouching down, and becoming agitated. As officers attempted to pat down Caradine, he fled on foot and while fleeing, officers observed him drop a Glock 19 9mm firearm. The firearm had a machinegun conversion device attached to the rear of the firearm, allowing it to operate as a fully automatic weapon. Caradine was apprehended by officers and during an interview, Caradine admitted that he purchased the firearm and knew that it had a Glock machinegun conversion device attached and how it functioned.
Caradine has at least three prior convictions for a violent felony offense and is therefore classified as an armed career criminal. His criminal history includes convictions for residential burglary, theft of property, aggravated assault, first-degree terroristic threatening, aggravated assault on a family or household member, third-degree domestic battery, and fleeing.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the North Little Rock Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reese Lancaster.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Little Rock Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Antonio Kimmons will spend the next 140 months in federal prison after again being convicted for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
On March 4, 2025, Kimmons, 47, of Little Rock, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a three-count Indictment for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of a machinegun, and possession of body armor. On September 30, 2025, Kimmons pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Judge Moody also sentenced Kimmons to one year of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on June 30, 2024, deputies from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a verbal altercation between Kimmons and two other men at a garage sale. The men arguing with Kimmons told deputies that Kimmons was angry and followed them in a white van while also shooting at them. No one was injured during the incident, however, investigators observed a bullet hole through the back of the victim’s vehicle, and also through the back of the driver’s seat. Deputies then searched the area for the white van and located it at Kimmons’ residence. After obtaining a search warrant for Kimmons’ residence, deputies conducted a search of the residence. During the search, deputies located approximately 17 firearms, including a machinegun, over 300 pounds of various ammunition, and various firearm accessories, including body armor. During an interview by an agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Kimmons admitted that he owned the firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories, and purchased illegal firearm parts over the Internet.
Kimmons’ criminal history includes felony convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm and aggravated robbery and several misdemeanor convictions for drugs, criminal trespass, assault, domestic battery, and disorderly conduct.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bart Dickinson.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Illegal Immigrant from the Dominican Republic Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Deliver CocaineRead the Press Release
HELENA-WEST HELENA—Angel Lazala-Soto, who has a previous federal conviction for attempted re-entry by a previously deported alien, will spend the next 70 months in federal prison after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down Thursday, March 5, 2026, by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
On March 6, 2025, Lazala-Soto, 60, of Bani, Dominican Republic, but residing in New York, New York, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a one-count Indictment for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On October 23, 2025, Lazala-Soto pleaded guilty to Count One. Judge Miller also sentenced Lazala-Soto to five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on August 29, 2024, troopers with the Arkansas State Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was following too closely to the vehicle in front of it. The trooper made contact with the driver, identified as Lazala-Soto, and observed him behaving nervously and shaking. Because of language barrier issues, the trooper communicated with Lazala-Soto in Spanish with Lazala-Soto telling the trooper that he had driven from New Jersey the day before to see his son for lunch. However, through the use of investigative tools, the trooper was able to determine that Lazala-Soto had actually been in Austin, Texas, the prior day and had returned.
After Lazala-Soto gave consent to search his vehicle, the trooper located some large duffle bags in the rear of the vehicle. After removing the duffle bags, the trooper observed seven kilo-like bundles on top of the spare tire. During an interview at the police department, Lazala-Soto admitted he was transporting cocaine and had driven from New York to Austin and met someone at a gas station.
Lazala-Soto’s criminal history includes a February 5, 2009, federal conviction for attempted re-entry by a previously deported alien where he received a sentence of 30 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Lazala-Soto also has felony convictions for criminal mischief – second degree, grand larceny, possession to distribute cocaine, assault and beat with dangerous weapon, and two convictions for possession of stolen property.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Arkansas State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacy Williams.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Bryant Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Tyler Dane Wooten will spend 360 months in federal prison for production of child pornography. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
On October 9, 2024, Wooten, 36, of Bryant, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a 12-count Superseding Indictment on six counts of distribution of child pornography, one count of production of child pornography, two counts of distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography, two counts of receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Wooten to a lifetime of supervised release and ordered him to pay $81,000 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system.
In April 2024, an FBI Online Covert Employee (OCE), using an online platform, began chatting with a user whose display name was “Bad Daddy.” An investigation identified “Bad Daddy” as the defendant, Wooten. The OCE and Wooten belonged to a chat group that that was devoted to the exchange of child pornography and videos. A further investigation revealed that on several occasions in April through June 2024, Wooten and other members of the group exchanged child pornography that contained videos depicting adults performing sex acts on children, including toddlers and infants.
On April 24, 2024, Wooten and the OCE were in a private conversation and Wooten stated he previously had “100+ gigs of stuff,” meaning child pornography. Wooten stated to the OCE that he had a “guilty conscience” and a “paranoid episode” and deleted the child pornography but was “just starting back into collecting” and was “…in search of harder and hurtcore baby and toddler stuff” because he “loves good toddler baby stuff.”
A review of Wooten’s online account revealed that he was chatting with another user who was sexually abusing a child at Wooten’s direction and the user filmed the abuse.
On July 30, 2024, Wooten was arrested and at the time of his arrest, law enforcement officers discovered 3,945 videos of child pornography on his devices.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. Parents are encouraged to always monitor your children’s online activity.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Career Offender from Little Rock Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Maurice Morning, who has a previous federal conviction and several state felony drug convictions, will spend the next 144 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
On January 7, 2025, Morning, 33, of Little Rock, was indicted by a federal grand jury in an Indictment charging him with one count for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute methamphetamine and two counts for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On October 22, 2025, Morning pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Judge Miller also sentenced Morning to five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on July 10, 2024, deputies from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to serve a warrant at a residence. Upon their arrival, deputies observed Morning place an unknown object in a blue Ford truck. Deputies determined Morning was on federal supervised release with a search waiver on file. Deputies conducted a search of Morning’s person and located methamphetamine and keys that belonged to the truck. When deputies conducted a search of the truck, they located methamphetamine on the floorboard between the driver and passenger seat and $3,109 in the glove compartment.
On July 29, 2024, officers enlisted a confidential informant (CI) to conduct a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Morning. The CI contacted Morning to purchase fentanyl and methamphetamine. Morning replied he did not have any fentanyl, but he did have methamphetamine the CI could purchase. Officers conducted surveillance and observed Morning arrive at a hotel to deliver the methamphetamine to the CI. As Morning was walking to the hotel room, he saw the officers and attempted to flee on foot and destroy the methamphetamine. A search of Morning’s person revealed $3,411 in his pocket and approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine. During a search of Morning’s truck, officers located a scale and $1,700 in a clear purse.
Because Morning has two prior felony convictions involving possession with intent to distribute drugs, he is therefore classified as a career offender and subject to an enhanced sentence. Morning’s criminal history includes a federal conviction on August 2, 2019, for being a felon in possession of a firearm where he was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. He committed the current offense less than four months after his release from federal prison. Morning also has felony convictions for possession of cocaine with purpose to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver, and possession of oxycodone with purpose to deliver.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Little Rock Police Department, and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Gastroenterology Practice Agrees to Pay $4.75M to Settle Allegations of Kickbacks and Unnecessary Medical Testing ServicesRead the Press Release
Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates located in Atlanta, Georgia, has agreed to pay $4.75 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by receiving kickbacks in exchange for referrals of gastrointestinal pathology services and by performing certain gastrointestinal pathology services that were not medically reasonable or necessary.
The United States alleged that beginning in approximately May 2017, Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates contracted with Advanced Pathology Solutions (APS), a pathology laboratory located in Little Rock, Arkansas, to construct and operate a limited-capacity pathology laboratory in Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates’ office. Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates received various benefits from APS in connection with the setup and ongoing operations of the in-house lab, in which histology technicians prepared and stained specimen sample slides and Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates billed Medicare and other insurers for the technical component of those services. In exchange, Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates agreed to exclusively refer patients to APS, which interpreted the slides and billed for the professional component of the services. The United States alleges that the benefits provided by APS to Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates were unlawful remuneration in exchange for patient referrals.
“Healthcare fraud has negative impacts for taxpayers and patients alike,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement reflects the Department’s commitment to protecting taxpayer money and ensuring that healthcare services paid for by for by federal healthcare programs are reasonable, necessary, and free from the influence of kickbacks.”
“As recent headlines across the country have made us all too aware, fraud against the American taxpayer through healthcare fraud is rampant,” said U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to identify and eliminate fraud of every kind wherever we find it and also to seek the recovery of tax dollars that were wrongfully paid.”
“Federal health care programs rely on truthful billing and accurate medical documentation,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Dallas Regional Office. “This False Claims Act settlement underscores our commitment to safeguarding taxpayer dollars and maintaining public trust by holding providers accountable when they fail to meet those obligations. Providers who induce referrals by paying illegal kickbacks place an unfair burden on these programs, and we remain steadfast in working with our law enforcement partners to identify and address such conduct.”
Additionally, the United States alleges that Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates performed and billed for medically unnecessary special stains using a blanket or reflex ordering process in which special stains were ordered on an automatic basis, without a pathologist first reviewing a routine stain and determining whether additional special stains were needed for the particular patient, and without justification in the medical record for performing additional special stains. Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates and APS terminated their relationship in approximately May 2020.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas, with assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The matter was investigated by Trial Attorneys Evan Ballan and Jessica Bergin and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Dempsey for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Illegal Alien from Honduras Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Allan Ricardo Medina-Morales will spend the next 135 months in federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker.
On February 7, 2023, Medina-Morales, 39, of Honduras, but illegally residing in Judsonia, Arkansas, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a four-count Indictment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On April 23, 2024, Medina-Morales pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chief Judge Baker also sentenced Medina-Morales to five years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that in March 2022, Medina-Morales, and others, conspired to distribute methamphetamine. On March 15, 2022, officers from the Conway Police Department conducted surveillance on the co-conspirator’s house when they observed Medina-Morales and the co-conspirator acting suspiciously. Officers observed Medina-Morales carrying a duffel bag from his vehicle into the house. Medina-Morales was also observed carrying an additional kilogram of methamphetamine from a tree stump in the yard into the house.
After Medina-Morales and the co-conspirator were observed getting into the vehicle and driving away, Arkansas State Police troopers followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop shortly afterward. The vehicle belonged to Medina-Morales. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a Colt, Model Detective Special, .38 caliber firearm in the glove box. After obtaining a search warrant for the property, officers located approximately 10 kilograms of methamphetamine in the duffel bag and drug distribution paraphernalia. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory later determined the substances seized by officers included approximately 11.7889 kilograms of methamphetamine.
On January 6, 2013, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents arrested Medina-Morales for illegal entry across the border near Edinburg, Texas. On October 9, 2019, the Immigration Court in Baltimore, Maryland, ordered Medina-Morales removed to Honduras, however, Medina-Morales failed to appear at court. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has a detainer to deport Medina-Morales to Honduras after he completes his federal sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from Arkansas State Police and the Conway Police Department.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Wynne Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Tyler Ball will spend eight years in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Thursday by Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker.
On August 22, 2025, Ball pleaded guilty to a one-count Superseding Information charging him with possession of child pornography. Chief Judge Baker also sentenced Ball to five years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation by the Arkansas State Police ultimately revealed that Ball took sexually explicit photos of a 10-year-old victim in or around 2015. Seven years after taking the photos, on January 27, 2022, Ball sent messages on Snapchat to the victim apologizing for “what went down back then,” when the victim was 10 years old. Ball messaged the victim, “I’m really sorry. I’m balling my eyes out. You mean so much to me and I’m very, very sorry.” After receiving these messages, the victim and the victim’s mother went to the police.
On February 1, 2022, Ball was interviewed by officers and stated that on the night he sent the Snapchat messages, he “blacked out” because he had consumed alcohol and did not have any memory of “anything that happened that night.” Officers then obtained a search warrant for Ball’s residence. During a search of the residence, officers located a cell phone in a safe. A subsequent search of the cell phone revealed 14 images of sexually explicit conduct involving the victim.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Parents are encouraged to always monitor your children’s online activity.
The investigation was conducted by the Arkansas State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Career Offender from Alexander Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Kevin Williams, who has been convicted of multiple drug and gun felonies, will spend the next 15 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge D.P. Marshall, Jr.
A federal grand jury indicted Williams, 46, of Alexander, in a three-count Indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On September 22, 2025, Williams pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. At the time, Williams was already serving state sentences for possession of a firearm by certain persons and possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver. Judge Marshall ordered the 180-month federal sentence to be served consecutively to Williams’ state sentences, and also sentenced Williams to three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
In March 2023, an investigation revealed that Williams, who was on active parole with a search waiver on file, was in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine and firearms. On March 20, 2023, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search warrant at the hotel room where Williams resided. During the search of Williams’ hotel room, agents located 900 grams of methamphetamine in a suitcase and 850 grams of methamphetamine in a safe. Agents also located in the safe a Canik, Model TP9SF 9mm loaded firearm containing 15 rounds of ammunition, 107.5 grams of marijuana, five pills marked “M30,” and a digital scale. Agents located a second safe in the room that contained $10,900.
Williams has at least two prior convictions for a violent felony or serious drug offense and is therefore classified as a career offender. His criminal history includes four convictions for possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver, three convictions for possession of drug paraphernalia, and a conviction for possession of firearms by certain persons.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Little Rock comprises agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans Field Division, Little Rock District Office, and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward Walker.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Sherwood Man Sentenced to More Than 29 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Giovanni Ibarra will spend 350 months in federal prison for production of child pornography. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on February 12, 2026, by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
On October 9, 2024, Ibarra, 27, of Sherwood, was indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of production of child pornography and three counts for distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography. On July 28, 2025, Ibarra, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography. Judge Moody also sentenced Ibarra to 10 years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on September 5, 2024, a CyberTipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was received by the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office. The tip referenced video files uploaded to the KIK social media platform on May 19, 2024, and June 10, 13, and 20, 2024. Some of the videos depicted adults performing sex acts on children, including an infant.
Agents subpoenaed records from the internet provider relating to the CyberTipline Reports and on August 29, 2024, learned the name of the subscriber. During the investigation, agents discovered on September 23, 2024, a Facebook page belonging to the subscriber that contained images of the infant victim agents observed in some of the videos uploaded to KIK. On September 24, 2024, agents conducted surveillance of the subscriber’s Sherwood residence and observed two males exiting the residence and entering a vehicle. They then drove to a local retail establishment in Sherwood with one of the males wearing all black with cat ears on his head. After further review of the subscriber’s Facebook page, agents identified the male observed in the establishment as Ibarra.
Agents contacted the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to determine a list of individuals who receive mail at the Sherwood residence. Ibarra was identified as one of the individuals receiving mail at the residence. At the time of his arrest, Ibarra consented to an interview with agents and a search of his phone. Ibarra admitted to agents that he uploaded the videos to KIK and the infant in one of the videos was a child who he knew. Ibarra also admitted that he shared the videos on KIK because people always ask for that type of content. He further admitted to watching the video involving the infant and then deleting it because he knew it was not okay.
“Giovanni Ibarra is a despicable human being who took advantage of vulnerable children to satisfy his wicked sexual desires,” stated Ross. “This defendant did not care about the harm he inflicted upon these children and their families, but as demonstrated by the excellent work on this investigation, our law enforcement partners do. This sentence serves as a warning to others that if you commit heinous acts against children, our office will seek to have you sent to federal prison for the greatest length of time as the law will allow.”
“This investigation and the resulting sentence highlight Homeland Security Investigations’ steadfast commitment to combating child exploitation and ensuring that sexual predators like Ibarra are brought to justice. Through our strong partnerships with the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and other law enforcement partners, HSI will continue to leverage every available resource to protect children and hold offenders accountable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright of Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. Parents are encouraged to always monitor your children’s online activity.
The investigation was conducted by the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Career Offender Sentenced to over 15 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Kelly Bruce Duncan, Jr., who has previous felony drug convictions, will spend the next 188 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
A federal grand jury indicted Duncan, 43, of Lamar, in a three-count Indictment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance with a drug trafficking crime. On September 29, 2025, Duncan pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Duncan to three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On June 8, 2024, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Duncan after observing a traffic violation. The vehicle, which had fictitious tags, fled at a high rate of speed, reaching speeds up to 112 miles per hour while passing other vehicles, driving in the oncoming traffic lane multiple times, running a stop sign, and while making a turn, striking another passenger car that contained a juvenile in a car seat. Duncan drove down an ATV trail, eventually causing the vehicle to become inoperable. The pursuit was approximately 21 minutes long and covered approximately 35 miles. Duncan then fled on foot, and law enforcement saw Duncan holding a revolver. Duncan stated to law enforcement, “I’ve got a gun.” Law enforcement gave Duncan several commands to drop the firearm, while Duncan was stating he was not going back to jail. After several minutes, Duncan eventually dropped the firearm on the ground and was placed into custody. The loaded firearm was a Taurus, .45/.410 revolver.
During the search of Duncan’s person, two separate clear baggies were found in his front right pocket containing methamphetamine (6.7885 grams in one bag confirmed to be methamphetamine by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, with a second bag weighing 1.2544 grams not tested), along with a .410-gauge shell. A handgun holster was located near the vehicle, and drug paraphernalia was inside the vehicle console. During the transport to the detention center Duncan made statements that he was planning to drive the vehicle off into the creek hoping to evade the officers and acknowledged possessing the firearm. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Duncan’s Facebook account and located messages between Duncan and others regarding the acquisition and distribution of ounce quantities of methamphetamine. Duncan admitted he was involved in the distribution of at least 200 grams of methamphetamine.
Duncan has prior felony convictions dating back to 2001. His prior felony convictions include possession of firearms by certain person, felony fleeing, two counts of delivery of methamphetamine, and possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Pope County Sheriff’s Office and the Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Jury Convicts Three Men of Methamphetamine and Cocaine Conspiracies Across Multiple StatesRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—A federal jury has convicted three men involved in methamphetamine and cocaine conspiracies that spanned from California to Texas to Arkansas and involved multiple pounds and kilograms of drugs. The trial, which spanned six days, ended Tuesday evening with guilty verdicts for Bruce McArthur Smith, 54, of Hesperia, Calif., Kevin Langel, 54, of Pine Bluff, and Larry Rogers, 71, of Benton. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the verdicts.
The three men were initially indicted in November 2022. A federal grand jury returned a Superseding Indictment on January 6, 2026, charging Smith with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Langel and Rogers were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, with Langel’s charge involving more than five kilograms of cocaine and Rogers’ charge involving more than 500 grams, but less than five kilograms of cocaine.
The evidence at trial proved that the controlled substances the three men were selling were ultimately being purchased, and redistributed, by Roderick Toney, 58, of Little Rock. Toney pleaded guilty on February 7, 2025, to conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm and is awaiting sentencing.
At trial, the United States played phone calls between Smith and Toney that detailed multiple methamphetamine transactions. The investigation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and North Little Rock Police Department, revealed that Smith knew individuals in Pine Bluff and came to Arkansas several times during the conspiracy period of 2020 through 2022. Toney received multiple pounds of methamphetamine directly from Smith at an apartment complex in Little Rock several times during that period.
In June and July 2022, at the same time Smith was selling methamphetamine to Toney, Toney was purchasing kilograms of cocaine from Rogers. Evidence at trial detailed Toney and Rogers’ movements on July 14, 2022, when Rogers obtained money from a relative of Toney’s at a car wash and then traveled to a business off Geyer Springs Road in Little Rock where he met with Langel and obtained a kilogram of cocaine. Rogers then returned to the same car wash and distributed the cocaine to Toney. Evidence at trial showed that Rogers and Toney were involved in multiple cocaine transactions.
In addition to the evidence that Langel was the source of supply of cocaine that Rogers obtained for Toney in June and July 2022, the United States presented evidence that Langel was engaged in numerous multiple-kilogram transactions of cocaine sourced out of Houston and Dallas in late 2022 and early 2023.
All three men were detained following the jury’s verdict and will be sentenced at a later date. Smith and Langel’s conspiracy charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years, with a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a minimum of five years’ supervised release to follow. Rogers’ charge exposes him to a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 40 years, and four years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
The defendants who were convicted at trial were the last of 18 individuals involved in the case, which began in North Little Rock before expanding to California. All 18 defendants have now been convicted, with sentencing hearings for several defendants still pending.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Little Rock comprises agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans Field Division, North Little Rock Police Department, and the Sherwood Police Department, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and North Little Rock Police Department, with assistance from the Sherwood Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Givens and Amanda Fields.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR