TEXARKANA, Ark. - Federal charges are pending against a man who allegedly had kilos of meth and semi-automatic rifles when he was stopped by authorities in Miller County on the last day of February.
Lynnel Antwan Watkins, 33, allegedly fled in a rented blue Yukon after being pulled over at 8:45 a.m. Feb. 28 on Interstate 49 by Arkansas State troopers, according to a criminal complaint pending in the Texarkana Division of the Western District of Arkansas. Watkins was apprehended after the vehicle was disabled.
A 9 mm handgun loaded with 10 rounds was allegedly in plain view in the driver's side door pocket of the Yukon and a bag containing suspected cocaine, methamphetamine and pills was allegedly in the driver's side floor board.
A semi-automatic .223 caliber rifle outfitted with a double-drum magazine containing 96 rounds of .223 ammunition was allegedly found in the rear seat.
Next to the loaded rifle, a red mesh backpack was allegedly found which contained five one-gallon plastic bags containing methamphetamine. The alleged methamphetamine weighed 4.36 kilograms.
A second semi-automatic rifle was allegedly found in the rear floorboard. Also found in the rear passenger area were two duffle bags which allegedly contained various calibers of ammunition and multiple rifle and handgun magazines in various calibers.
According to the complaint, active warrants existed at the time for Watkins for an alleged parole violation on a charge of sexual assault for which he was convicted in 2009 in Arkansas and warrants for probation violations on drug charges in Arkansas.
Watkins was arrested on state charges including trafficking controlled substances, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of a firearm by a felon and fleeing.
Miller County court records show Watkins posted a $175,000 bond March 12.
Federal court records show a criminal complaint was filed April 7 charging Watkins with possession of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and with using or carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Watkins was arrested April 15 by federal officials on the criminal complaint. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant via video April 19 and the case was unsealed at that time. Assistant Federal Public Defender Matthew Hill waived the issue of detention on Watkins' behalf and Watkins is currently being held in the Miller County jail.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Jones filed a motion for detention in the case noting that Watkins faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison and citing public safety and concern Watkins might flee.