2 arrested in drug bust at motel
A Hot Springs man was arrested on felony drug charges and a Hot Spring woman was arrested on outstanding burglary and battery warrants following a disturbance at a local motel early Tuesday.
Derrick Martell Franklin, 32, who lists a Montreal Street address, was taken into custody shortly after 9 a.m. and charged with felony counts of unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate a crime and possession of drug paraphernalia, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and possession of methamphetamine and possession of a schedule II controlled substance. He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of criminal use of a prohibited weapon, punishable by up to one year in jail, and had two warrants for failure to appear.
Megan Sharee Taylor, 22, who lists a Central Avenue address, was charged with residential bur- glary, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and third-degree assault, punishable by up to 30 days.
They both remained in custody Wednesday in lieu of $23,300 bond and are set to appear Oct. 4 in Garland County District Court.
According to affidavits, Hot Springs police officers were flagged down at El Rancho Motel, 1611 Central Ave., by the manager in reference to a disturbance in Room 118 involving Taylor, Franklin and another person. Franklin was found to have an outstanding absconder warrant and was placed into custody.
During a search of his person, Officer Mark Wilson reportedly located a set of brass knuckles, a glass container with a white substance, a plastic bag with residue, a white pill, later identified as Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate, and a straw in his pants pockets.
During a search of the hotel room, investigators reportedly located two glass smoking devices commonly used for meth and a black bag with multiple plastic baggies.
According to the affidavits for Taylor, on Aug. 30, HSPD Officer Scott Lampinen responded to 110 Garland St. in reference to a burglary and made contact with a 12-year-old female and a witness. The juvenile said Taylor, a family acquaintance, had entered the residence and told the juvenile she was there to watch her and her 3-year-old cousin.
Taylor allegedly told the juvenile she was going upstairs to use the bathroom, but approximately 10 minutes later, she came down stairs with a laptop, several bags of clothing and a bag of unknown items.
When the juvenile asked her what she was doing, Taylor attempted to walk out of the residence with the items. Taylor pushed the juvenile to the ground after she attempted to take the laptop back. Taylor then fled the residence with the property.
The juvenile’s aunt arrived at the residence and noted jewelry, clothing, makeup, perfume and a Bluetooth speaker were missing. She said Taylor did not have permission to be in the residence at the time of the incident.