Eighteen individuals are in custody following a coordinated arrest operation targeting a drug-trafficking organization in Poinsett County, Arkansas. The arrests were announced by Jonathan Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Alicia D. Corder, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Little Rock Field Office.
The group is accused of distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in northeast Arkansas. According to a federal indictment, the operation was led by Jack Brown from Marked Tree, along with Reginald Hendrix and Dewayne Morris from Trumann. Seventeen suspects were apprehended this morning, while another was already detained.
The arrests follow an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation initiated in July 2023. This marks the first significant federal probe into this region of Arkansas. The investigation involved controlled purchases and intercepted communications revealing discussions about trafficking multiple pounds of methamphetamine.
"The arrests of these defendants continue to show the commitment of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office to focus on making our communities better," stated United States Attorney Ross. "Through the collaborative efforts of these law enforcement agencies, we were able to make a significant impact in getting these violent drug traffickers out of the community."
"Ridding Arkansas communities of dangerous narcotics and violent criminals is a top priority for law enforcement across the state," said FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder. "Today’s arrests demonstrate the FBI’s commitment to fostering safer communities for the citizens of Arkansas, and we will continue to collaborate with our federal, state, and local partners on this shared goal."
This effort is part of an OCDETF operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations through a multi-agency approach led by prosecutors and driven by intelligence.
Those arrested will appear before United States Magistrate Judge Jerome T. Kearney on February 27th. The joint investigation involved several agencies including the FBI; DEA; U.S. Marshals Service; ICE; Arkansas State Police; Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office; Trumann Police Department; Jonesboro Police Department; Craighead County Sheriff’s Office; Marion Police Department; West Memphis Police Department; Blytheville Police Department; Arkansas Second Judicial Drug Task Force; and Arkansas National Guard Counter Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Eldridge is prosecuting the case.