Citizen dispute call ends with arrest of local woman after opium allegedly found
A local woman was arrested Saturday on felony and misdemeanor drug charges following a citizen dispute call at a local motel after Hot Springs police allegedly found opium and marijuana in her possession.
Johnna Mikeal McKaskle, 30, who lists a Pullman Avenue address, was taken into custody shortly after 12:30 p.m. and charged with possession of a schedule 1 controlled substance, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, punishable by up to one year in jail.
McKaskle, who also had a local warrant for failure to appear stemming from a May 28 arrest for theft of property and a hold out of Saline County, was being held on a zero bond and was set to appear Monday in Garland County District Court. According to court records, she was previously convicted on June 8, 2017, in Saline County of possession of drug paraphernalia and sentenced to five years’ probation.
According to the probable cause affidavit, around noon Saturday, police were dispatched to the Vagabond Motel, 4708 Central Ave., regarding a “citizen dispute” and made contact with McKaskle and determined she had warrants for her arrest so she was taken into custody.
McKaskle was reportedly carrying a purse when she was arrested and upon searching it, officers allegedly found three baggies of a brown powder, a total of 14.7 grams. After being read her rights, McKaskle reportedly stated the powder was Kratom, an opium derivative.
Also in her purse officers found two baggies of marijuana, a total of 14.4 grams, and two loose marijuana buds, a total of 1.3 grams.