Woman charged with drug possession at state park
A Hot Springs woman was arrested Sunday at Lake Ouachita State Park after a park ranger and a Garland County sheriff’s deputy allegedly found her in possession of an array of prescription drugs.
Karrie Michelle Easley, 34, who lists a Crystal Hill Road address, was taken into custody around 4:30 p.m. and charged with felony counts of possession of a Schedule 2 controlled substance with intent to deliver, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, possession of a Schedule
4 controlled substance with intent to deliver, punishable by up to six years, and a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance, marijuana.
She was later released on
$6,000 bond and is set to appear June 4 in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Arkansas State
Park Ranger
G.L. Howard was on routine patrol, with his driver’s side window down, in the area of McFadden Lane and Three Sisters Beach when he smelled the odor of burning marijuana as he met two vehicles on the roadway.
Howard noted he was unsure which vehicle the odor was coming from and began to follow both vehicles. The lead vehicle reportedly turned into the cabin parking lot where the ranger made contact with the male driver while still continuing to smell marijuana.
He informed the driver why he had followed them and asked about the smell of marijuana. The driver allegedly replied he was “burning a bowl.” The driver reportedly opened the door and had a woman, later identified as Easley, retrieve paraphernalia and a container of marijuana out of her purse.
Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Boyes arrived on scene to assist in searching the vehicle. Inside Easley’s purse, the deputy reportedly found several prescription pill bottles filled with “a jumbled assortment of pills.”
The pills were reportedly identified as lorazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, amphetamine, and dextroamphetamine. A medicine bottle found within another medicine bottle allegedly containing marijuana was also found.
Easley reportedly told Boyes the contents of the purse belonged to her, and she was arrested.