More than half of those cuffed and jailed Tuesday in an early morning arrest operation in the Texarkana area, which targeted a large-scale methamphetamine distribution ring, appeared in state and federal courts Wednesday.
Circuit Judge Carlton Jones set bail for six defendants in varying amounts as recommended by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Cotten at first judicial appearance hearings held early Wednesday afternoon at the Miller County jail complex. Miller County Sheriff Ron Stovall stood near the judge's bench.
Sonya Kay Littles, 48, pleaded with Jones after Cotten asked for a $150,000 bail in her case.
"My son is graduating high school next week," Littles said. "Can you please consider that and have mercy on me?"
Jones advised Littles she has the right to file a motion for a hearing to address the issue. Littles was arrested on two felony warrants Tuesday alleging delivery of methamphetamine, Jones said. Court records show Littles has multiple prior felony convictions.
Joseph Mark Lineberry, 39, also expressed his dismay at the amount recommended by Cotten when Jones agreed to set his bail at $250,000, among the highest of the defendants, for two pending counts of delivery of methamphetamine.
"Your honor, can I say something?" Lineberry asked. "I have never been a flight risk. When I knew I had warrants before, I always turned myself in."
Jones told Lineberry that to reduce his bail, the court must hear from both sides of the case, his and the state's.
"I don't know what they know. They (prosecutors) may have a specific reason for that recommendation," Jones said. "The court will give you and the state an opportunity to be heard."
Jones went on to explain the steps Lineberry, or his lawyer, must take to get a setting for a bond reduction hearing.
Jones set bail for Kerwin Darnell Hooper, 30, at $250,000 on Cotten's recommendation, as well. Hooper was arrested on two counts of delivery of methamphetamine Tuesday. At the time of his arrest, Hooper was allegedly in possession of a firearm, which a prior felony conviction makes a crime. Hooper is also accused of criminal possession of body armor, a charge Hooper found confusing.
"What is that?" Hooper asked.
Jones provided a thorough explanation.
"Turns out you're in luck. Because I worked to get the legislature to change the law," Jones said. "If you had body armor while in the commission of a felony, it's another felony when you do those things in conjunction."
Being a convicted felon accused of possessing a gun means possessing the body armor Hooper allegedly had amounts to another felony violation, Jones explained.
Gregory Wright, 43, was picked up Tuesday on three warrants alleging delivery of methamphetamine under 2 grams, Jones said. Wright asked for a court-appointed lawyer, and Jones penned an order assigning the public defender's office to his case. Jones set Wright's bail at $60,000 on Cotten's recommendation.
Kay King, 61, appeared before Jones on two pending charges of delivery of a controlled substance. Jones set her bail at $60,000 on Cotten's suggestion. Lance Reed, 28, appeared on charges of delivery of methamphetamine. Cotten recommended a $25,000 bail in his case, to which Jones agreed.
All six of the Miller County defendants are set to return to court June 7.
Four defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant Wednesday afternoon in the Texarkana Division of the Western District of Arkansas.
Jerry Dill, 51, appeared with Federal Public Defender Tiffany Fields for arraignment on a five-count indictment handed down by a grand jury May 11. Dill entered not-guilty pleas to all counts, which include conspiracy to distribute meth and four counts of meth distribution Sept. 9, Sept. 11, Sept. 22 and Sept. 25. At Fields' request, Bryant set the case for a detention hearing this morning in Texarkana's downtown federal building to determine if he will remain jailed or go free while his case moves forward. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brice White is handling Dill's case for the government.
Dill is scheduled for a jury trial July 20 before U.S. District Judge Susan Hickey.
David Haskell, 27, appeared before Bryant with Texarkana lawyer John Stroud for arraignment on a four-count indictment handed down May 11. Haskell is accused of conspiracy in the first count of his indictment and of selling meth Jan. 6, Jan. 22 and March 11 in counts two through four. Haskell pleaded not guilty to all counts, and Stroud waived the issue of his detention but asked that the court leave open the option to revisit the issue at a later date.
Haskell is set for a jury trial July 9 before U.S. District Judge Harry Barnes.
Brian Tremayne Porter, 26, also known as "Demitrius," and "Joshua Carson," appeared before Bryant for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint accusing him of selling meth on Feb. 20 and Feb. 23. Porter's cousin, Javon Markeith Carson, 32, appeared on the same complaint. Carson is accused of aiding and abetting a meth sale Feb. 20 with Porter.
Because Porter and Carson appeared on a criminal complaint and have not been formally indicted, trial dates in their cases have not been scheduled. Carson is scheduled for a detention hearing this morning to address his custody status, while Porter is set for a detention hearing May 23.
The 10 defendants who appeared in state and federal Arkansas courts Wednesday represent less than half of those targeted, arrested and jailed in the months-long investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Miller County Sheriff's Office and FBI. Some were arrested prior to Tuesday's mass operation, and still others remain at large. Texarkana, Ark., Police Department, Texarkana, Texas, Police Department, Bowie County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Marshals Service and Arkansas State Police were involved, as well.