2 arrested on multiple felony drug charges
Two Hot Springs men were arrested Friday on multiple felony drug charges after a firearm and various drugs were allegedly found during a routine traffic stop.
Reggie Levall Horton, 28, who lists an Amity Road address, and Joseph Kendrell Thomas, 32, who lists a Bess Street address, were taken into custody just after 4:30 p.m.
Friday and each charged with simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, punishable by up to life in prison, felony possession of Ecstasy, felony possession of hydrocodone, felony possession of marijuana, felony possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm by a certain person.
Thomas faces additional felony charges of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, furnishing, possessing or using prohibited items and unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate a crime.
Both appeared Monday morning via video in Garland County District Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Bond for each was set at $150,000 and a felony review hearing to determine if their cases will be bound over to Garland County Circuit Court is set for Oct. 30.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Garland County sheriff’s Cpl. Scotty Dodd was working the construction zone on Highway 70 east when he observed a blue Chevrolet Tahoe following another vehicle too closely. He initiated a traffic stop in the 1700 block of East Grand
Avenue.
Dodd noted a smell he believed to be marijuana coming from the vehicle, and asked the occupants if there was anything illegal inside. They both reportedly responded no, and Dodd asked if there were any firearms, narcotics or explosives in the vehicle. Again, they responded no.
Arkansas State Police Sgt. Scott Joe arrived to assist and noted he could also smell marijuana coming from the vehicle, so Horton and Thomas were detained.
During a search of the vehicle, Dodd reportedly located a small black duffel bag in the back seat containing a large, clear plastic bag with approximately 4.45 ounces of suspected marijuana, a quart jar containing suspected marijuana residue, a digital scale, 82 Xanex pills and a .25-caliber Titan handgun with a fully loaded magazine.
In the mesh side compartment of the bag, Dodd reportedly located two small containers, one with suspected marijuana and six suspected hydrocodone tablets and one with approximately 27 suspected Ecstasy pills.
Once at the Garland County Detention Center, a small bag with 4.3 grams of suspected cocaine was reportedly located in Thomas’ sock.
Both men had a history of previous felony drug convictions. The vehicle and $572 was seized from Horton, while $465 was seized from Thomas.