Texarkana couple facing state and federal charges in alleged trafficking of methamphetamine

TEXARKANA, Arkansas -- A Texarkana couple has been charged with federal and state crimes in connection with alleged drug trafficking.

Ajene Rashodd Cornelius, 26, and Latrace Shenay Cornelius, 35, were arrested Nov. 11 at a residence in the 2200 block of Pecan Street in Texarkana, Arkansas, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Texarkana Division of the Western District of Arkansas.

Members of the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, FBI, Homeland Security and the narcotics task force searched the house during execution of a search warrant Nov. 11. Inside the residence, investigators allegedly found 1.47 pounds of methamphetamine packaged in separate 222-gram and 448-gram quantities. Also seized were 7.5 grams of suspected crack cocaine, $13,750 in cash and three firearms.

The firearms found in the home's master bedroom include an unloaded .308 caliber rifle, a loaded 9 mm carbine and a loaded .38 special revolver. Two of the guns were found in plain view and the third was found in a dresser drawer, the complaint alleges.

The federal complaint charges Ajene Cornelius and Latrace Cornelius with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

Circuit court records in Miller County, Arkansas, show that Ajene Cornelius is charged at the state level with trafficking in a controlled substance and unlawful use of a communication device with bail set at $250,000. Latrace Cornelius is charged with possession of a firearm by certain persons in Miller County with bail set at $100,000.

Both are scheduled to appear Dec. 14 before a circuit judge in Miller County.

Ajene Cornelius and Latrace Cornelius both appeared virtually Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant for an initial appearance on the federal criminal complaint. Both were remanded to the U.S. Marshals Service pending detention hearings set for next week.

If Bryant agrees to release either defendant on bond from federal custody next week, they will still have to post bond on the charges pending against them in state court to secure freedom while the charges are pending.

Both Ajene Cornelius and Latrace Cornelius are currently being held in the Miller County jail.

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