Felon who allegedly fled traffic stop in 2020 arrested Wednesday
A local felon who allegedly fled from a traffic stop last year where a stolen gun and drugs were found was arrested on multiple warrants late Wednesday.
James Anthony Barron, 25, who lists a Candleberry Circle address, was taken into custody around 10:30 p.m. and charged with simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, punishable by up to life in prison, possession of a firearm by certain persons, punishable by up to 20 years, possession of marijuana with purpose to deliver and theft by receiving of a firearm, each punishable by up to six years, and a misdemeanor count of fleeing on foot.
Barron remained in custody Thursday in lieu of a $205,000 bond and a zero bond parole hold and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court. He was previously convicted in Ouachita County of possession of a firearm by certain persons and possession of marijuana with purpose to deliver on Jan. 26, 2018, and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Sept. 17, around 3:45 p.m., Hot Springs police spotted a white Chevrolet Malibu that matched the description of a suspect vehicle involved in a drive-by shooting earlier.
A check of the vehicle’s license plate returned as “ownership seized” so the vehicle was stopped and contact was made with the driver, who gave officers his driver’s license identifying him as Barron. A computer check showed he was a parolee with a search waiver on file.
During the stop, Barron allegedly reached into the back seat and retrieved a baggie of marijuana that he handed to the officers. Moments later, Barron fled the scene on foot and could not be apprehended at that time.
In searching the vehicle, officers reportedly found a Glock 9-mm handgun that had been reported stolen and a backpack with several baggies of marijuana packaged for individual sale, a total of 95.2 grams, or over 3 ounces, and a digital scale.
It was noted the area where the backpack was found was the same area where Barron had retrieved the one baggie of marijuana earlier. Warrants for Barron’s arrest were issued later that day.