Man pleads guilty in drug scheme

A 36-year-old Little Rock man accused of heading two major drug operations to sell heroin and cocaine in central Arkansas pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court.

Aaron Laray Clark, known as “Black,” pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr., who will sentence him at a later date, according to a news release.

As part of the plea negotiations, all other charges against Clark were dismissed.

On May 5, Clark was indicted by a federal grand jury in a 33-person, 67-count indictment, leading to the arrest of dozens of drug and gun dealers, the release said.

The indictment stems from late 2015, when the FBI and the North Little Rock Police Department began investigating drug-trafficking activities of certain gangs, including the “Self Made Gangsters,” the release said.

Investigators learned most of the drugs for this gang came from people in Little Rock, the release said.

Between July and October, 2016, North Little Rock police conducted four controlled buys of heroin from Clark, prosecutors said. Investigators said they determined the 36-year-old was purchasing heroin and cocaine from a supplier in Texas.

In November 2016, agents executed a search warrant at Clark’s Little Rock residence and seized 178 grams (about 0.4 pound) of heroin, a marijuana growing operation, six firearms and $100,000 in cash and jewelry, prosecutors said.

In May 2017, during another search, investigators said they seized $55,000, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and 1.7 kilograms (about 3.75 pounds) of methamphetamine found in an oven.

During the entire investigation, agents said they seized more than 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of cocaine, 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of heroin, more than 5 pounds of methamphetamine, a pound of crack cocaine and 8 ounces of fentanyl.

These drugs were procured during more than 25 controlled buys as well as multiple search warrants, the release said.

Clark faces a prison sentence not less than 10 years and not more than life. He also faces a fine of up to $10 million.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benecia Moore led the prosecution of the case.