Alleged trespasser arrested on felony drug charges after fleeing from police
A Bee Branch man allegedly trespassing at a local motel was arrested on felony drug charges after reportedly fleeing on foot from Hot Springs police early Monday.
Corey Scott Stephens, 43, was taken into custody shortly before 4:30 a.m. at the Econo Lodge, 1204 Central Ave., and charged with felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, meth, and possession of drug paraphernalia, each punishable by up to six years in prison, and a misdemeanor count of fleeing.
Stephens, who also had a warrant for failure to appear, was being held on a $6,500 bond and appeared via video Monday in Garland County District Court where he pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Judge Joe Graham set his bond at
$3,500 and a felony review hearing is set for Aug.
3. A court order was issued barring Stephens from future contact with the motel.
According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly before
3:30 a.m. Monday, HSPD Officer
1st Class Taylor Gates responded to the Econo Lodge regarding someone trespassing. He spoke to the motel’s security manager who stated he had told a man on the scene multiple times to leave but he had refused.
Gates made contact with the man, later identified as Stephens, and a computer check revealed the warrant issued through the Garland County Sheriff’s Department. As Gates attempted to take Stephens into custody, he reportedly fled south across the parking lot.
Officers caught him moments later in the parking lot and took him into custody without further incident. During a search of Stephens’ person, a glass pipe with white residue was found along with a bag of what later tested positive for meth, 1.5 grams, and a syringe.