HS man sentenced to 8 years for meth possession, revocation of ’21 probation
A local man on probation from previous drug charges arrested in December on a new drug charge after a traffic stop was sentenced to eight years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty in Garland County Circuit Court.
James Steven White, 46, who lists a Kinsey Lane address, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, meth, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and was sentenced to eight years, fined $500 and ordered to pay $315 in court costs upon his release.
White was previously convicted on May 19, 2021, of possession of meth with purpose to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia and sentenced to six years’ probation which was revoked Wednesday and to be served concurrently.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Dec. 15, 2021, shortly after 8 a.m., Hot Springs police Officer Zach Hoofman made a traffic stop on a white 2007 Lexus RX in the 800 block of Albert Pike Road after a computer check showed the license plate returned to a GMC motor home.
He made contact with the driver, identified as White, and a computer check revealed he was an active probationer with a search waiver on file. During a search of the vehicle, Hoofman found a baggie on the driver’s floorboard that contained 1.1 grams of what later tested positive for meth.
White was arrested and taken to the Garland County Detention Center where a second baggie of meth, 2.2 grams, was found on his person for a total of 3.3 grams.
White was released later that same day on a $3,500 bond and pleaded not guilty to the charge in circuit court on March 8. An omnibus hearing to determine the admissibility of any statements White made to police was held on July 5 and the case was set for a disposition hearing on Wednesday.