Suspect given pre-trial release

Judge’s terms include in-patient substance abuse treatment

One of 33 people indicted after a recent drug investigation focused on White County was ordered Friday during a bond hearing to be released to in-patient substance abuse treatment.

Felicia Jean Mason, 35, of Judsonia appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Harris via video conference from the White County jail.

Harris also ordered that once Mason is released from in-patient treatment, she must live in a chemical-free facility.

According to an arrest warrant filed in federal court Wednesday, Mason was arrested March 11 in Little Rock after being indicted earlier this month by a federal grand jury on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, she faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison.

Mason is to be released April 7 to enter in-patient substance abuse treatment at the Northeast Arkansas Regional Recovery Center in Jonesboro, the earliest date that pre-trial services could confirm a bed would be available.

Assistant U.S. Attorney

Amanda Fields did not object to the terms of Mason’s release.

“The U.S. is prepared to agree to her release to rehab if the court determines that to be appropriate,” Fields said.

In many cases of pre-trial release, defendants are ordered to have no contact with any co-defendants, a requirement that Harris acknowledged could complicate Mason’s release.

“I know you’re married to one of the defendants in this case,” Harris said.

Mason’s husband, Rickey C. Jones, 34, under two federal indictments charging him with being a felon in possession of firearms, is also being held in the White County jail.

Last week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe Volpe ordered Jones detained pending the resolution of charges the state has against him. Once the charges are resolved, Volpe said, attorney James Winnfield Wyatt could request a bond hearing for Jones.

Neither Fields nor Blake Hendrix, Mason’s attorney, had any objections to Mason being allowed to see Jones.

“It would not be a good idea to get into a deep discussion about your defense in this case,” Harris cautioned. “You can have the normal contact you would need, but just don’t talk about that.”

Harris said that following the conclusion of her in-patient treatment, Mason must live in a chemical-free facility until her case is adjudicated. She cautioned Mason that any failure to comply with the conditions of her release could result in her bond being revoked.

“If that takes place,” Harris said, “you’ll be back in jail until your case is resolved.”