HS man, Arkadelphia woman sentenced for drug trafficking

A Hot Springs man and an Arkadelphia woman were sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking in separate cases in U.S. District Court in Hot Springs this week, according to Duane Kees, U.S. attorney for the Western District.

Grealin Thomas, 39, of Hot Springs, was sentenced Thursday to eight years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of distribution of meth. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2017 and pleaded guilty in June.

According to court records, in March 2017, investigators with the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations conducted a controlled purchase of what later tested positive for meth from Thomas.

This case was investigated by the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Harris.

Shavonne Byrd, age 31, of Arkadelphia, was sentenced Friday to 10 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of possession with intent to distribute meth. A federal grand jury indicted Byrd in September 2017 and she pleaded guilty to the charge in January.

According to court records, On Nov. 7, 2016, a Hot Springs police officer observed a silver Dodge Journey, which had been reported stolen, traveling on Central Avenue. The officer observed Byrd and a male exit the vehicle and enter a store and then made contact with her and arrested her for outstanding warrants.

The officer searched Byrd’s purse incident to arrest and located a baggie containing what later tested positive for meth, 54.7 grams, and a digital scale. Byrd admitted to possession of the meth and scale and also to supplying several midlevel meth dealers in the Garland County area.

This case was investigated by Hot Springs police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denis Dean. Both sentencing hearings were conducted with Judge Susan O. Hickey presiding.