Marked Tree, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – February 25, 2025 – Eighteen defendants accused of distributing large amounts of methamphetamine in Northeast Arkansas are in custody after federal and state authorities made several arrests in Poinsett County this morning. The arrests are part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation involving the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Marshals, ICE and several other agencies.
Jonathan Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Alicia D. Corder, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Little Rock Field Office, announced Tuesday’s arrests.
The large-scale drug operation in Northeast Arkansas is, according to a federal indictment, headed by Jack Brown, 58, of Marked Tree, Reginald Hendrix, 53, of Trumann, and Dewayne Morris, 36, Trumann.
A team of law enforcement agencies in the area coordinated to arrest 17 individuals this morning. Another defendant was already in state custody.
Today’s arrests are in conjunction with the unsealing of the indictment of 21 individuals who were charged by a federal grand jury on February 6. Twenty of the 21 defendants are charged together in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Three additional coconspirators who live outside the area have been indicted but have not yet been arrested.
The arrests stem from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, or OCDETF, investigation that began in July 2023. Most of the defendants listed in the indictment are from Trumann and Marked Tree.
The indictment marks the first large-scale federal investigation into the Northeast section of the state. The investigation, which was headed by the FBI, involved numerous controlled purchases of methamphetamine from members of the conspiracy. Additionally, throughout the investigation law enforcement agents intercepted numerous phone calls in which the conspiracy members discussed trafficking what was in total multiple pounds of methamphetamine.
“During my 2016 campaign for Sheriff, I emphasized the importance of fostering strong working relationships with other agencies as a cornerstone of enhancing safety in Poinsett County,” said Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder. “Today’s operation serves as a testament to the vital role of collaboration in achieving a safer community. I remain committed to partnering with all organizations to ensure our collective success in this endeavor.”
Molder and Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder both confirmed at least some of those arrested were being held in the Greene County Jail at Paragould, although online jail records did not reflect the inmates. Snyder said, “typically with federal prisoners we are not allowed to list them online.”
“The arrests of these defendants continue to show the commitment of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office to focus on making our communities better,” stated United States Attorney Ross. “Through the collaborative efforts of these law enforcement agencies, we were able to make a significant impact in getting these violent drug traffickers out of the community.”
“Ridding Arkansas communities of dangerous narcotics and violent criminals is a top priority for law enforcement across the state,” said FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder. “Today’s arrests demonstrate the FBI’s commitment to fostering safer communities for the citizens of Arkansas, and we will continue to collaborate with our federal, state, and local partners on this shared goal.”
The investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Those arrested today will be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Jerome T. Kearney on Thursday.
Today’s arrests are the result of a joint investigation between the FBI; the Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Marshals Service; ICE; Arkansas State Police; the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office; Trumann Police Department; Jonesboro Police Department; Craighead County Sheriff’s Office; Marion Police Department; West Memphis Police Department; Blytheville Police Department; the Arkansas Second Judicial Drug Task Force; and the Arkansas National Guard Counter Drug Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Eldridge.