Man accused of selling meth from home appears in court
A DeQueen, Ark., man accused of selling methamphetamine from his home made an initial appearance in a Texarkana federal court this week.
Randy Terrell Hayes, 30, was arrested Aug. 23 for alleged delivery of methamphetamine and appeared the following day before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant in the Texarkana Division of the Western District of Arkansas. The government filed a motion asking that Hayes remain in jail while his case proceeds citing the nature of the offense, the need to protect the community and Hayes’ prior felony convictions.
Texarkana lawyer Craig Henry waived the issue of Hayes’ continued detention and Hayes remains in the custody of U.S. Marshals.
According to a criminal complaint filed by FBI Special Agent Ryan Lathrop, the FBI, Arkansas State Police and South Central Drug Task Force conducted two controlled buys of large quantities of meth from Hayes at his home on De Queen
Avenue May 30 and June 1.
A confidential source working with law enforcement allegedly made arrangements to purchase approximately 20 grams of methamphetamine from Hayes on May 30 with $650 in FBI funds. After allegedly making the transaction with Hayes in the driveway of his home, the confidential source turned over a hand-tied bag and torn purple latex glove containing suspected methamphetamine that weighed 17.4 grams.
The following day, a confidential source allegedly arranged with Hayes to purchase 14 grams of meth for $550 at Hayes’ home. Hayes allegedly got into the source’s car to make the deal in Hayes’ driveway. A hand-tied bag containing approximately 14.2 grams of methamphetamine was turned over to investigators following the controlled buy.
Court records show Hayes has been charged in Sevier County, Ark., Circuit Court with delivery of methamphetamine 10 to 200 grams in an offense that allegedly occurred June 5. If convicted, Hayes faces 10 to 40 years or life in prison.
llarowe@texarkanagazette.com