Search yields gun, drug dealing charges
A Siloam Springs man was arrested Jan. 23 after an extensive investigation resulted in drug and gun charges.
Mark Allen Knepp, 28, was arrested by the Siloam Springs Police Department at 103 Cheri Whitlock. He was booked into the Benton County Jail on a $50,000 bond related to felony charges of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of firearms by certain persons, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. In total, Knepp faces 21 felony and misdemeanor charges related to the arrest.
The investigation began when Siloam Springs officers arrived at the residence to do an agency assist with Benton County Probation, according to a probable cause affidavit. Knepp admitted to officers to having drugs and firearms in the home. A search revealed a 9mm pistol, drug paraphernalia, baggies and glass containers containing a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine, unused baggies and a scale.
Knepp’s cell phone also was seized as evidence after pictures on it were discovered that included pictures of Knepp trying to sell the handgun and other images allegedly showing drug activity.
A criminal history check of Knepp showed arrests for controlled substance in 2007, shoplifting in 2008, felony robbery in 2008, carrying a firearm without a license in 2008, simple assault in 2008, harassment in 2012 and terroristic threatening in 2012.
Knepp is scheduled to appear in Benton County Circuit Court on Feb. 8 for revoke of suspended sentence or probation and on March 5 for the charges related to his Jan. 23 arrest.