Woman, 30, receives medical attention during drug arrest
A woman facing multiple drug-related charges in Miller County may have accidentally overdosed in an attempt to hide contraband from police.
Kayla Nichole Sprawls, 30, was being taken to jail by Texarkana, Ark., Police Jan. 31 after being found in possession of a syringe, methamphetamine, digital scales and hydrocodone, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account.
An officer patrolling County Avenue shortly after midnight noticed the occupants of a 2002 Kia appeared extremely concerned with the cruiser driving behind. The Kia made a turn into an apartment complex and the occupants walked quickly away. When the officer spoke to Sprawls, he noticed, “her hands were shaking and that she kept looking around frantically,” the affidavit states.
Sprawls allegedly gave the officer permission to search her purse. Inside the purse, a syringe, a set of residue-coated electronic scales, hydrocodone pills and $661 in cash were discovered. A second officer noticed a bag of suspected methamphetamine allegedly sitting in plain view on the driver’s seat of the Kia.
Sprawls was cuffed and placed in the back of a patrol car. In the elevator up to the jail on the upper level of the Bi-State Justice Building in downtown Texarkana, off icers noticed Sprawls was shaking. In the jail’s booking area, Sprawls’ shaking became more severe and a nurse was called.
Sprawls allegedly admitted, “she had ingested some dope though she would not say how much,” the affidavit states.
At the hospital, medical staff recovered small blue plastic containers and a piece of a plastic bag from a body cavity.
Sprawls is currently in jail. She has been unable to post bond on a $250,000 bail.
If found guilty of paraphernalia possession, Sprawls faces five to 20 years and a fine up to $10,000. Possession of hydrocodone is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Possession of methamphetamine is punishable by three to 10 years and a fine up to $10,000.
llarowe@texarkanagazette.com