Arkansas State student faces felony drug, weapons charges after campus deal caught on camera

An Arkansas State University student faces up to life in prison after police allegedly found a handgun and marijuana in his campus apartment following a suspected drug deal caught on video.

By Jonesboro Right Now March 6, 2026 3:07 pm

Chugani mug shot — ContributedCraighead County Sheriff's Office

EDITOR’S NOTE (June 16, 2026): Following the publication of this article, documentation provided by the defense counsel for Aryan Chugani verified that the prosecuting authorities did not file formal charges. JRN spoke with Sonia Hagood, prosecuting attorney for the 2nd Judicial District, who clarified that charges were not filed because Chugani was deported before he could appear in court.

Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – An Arkansas State University student faces up to life in prison after police found a handgun and marijuana in his campus apartment following a suspected drug deal caught on video.

According to a probable cause affidavit, officers began investigating 19-year-old Aryan Ashok Chugani after surveillance footage captured him conducting a suspected transaction with an individual in a vehicle in the 100 block of Dean Street at 9:53 a.m. on March 5.

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The footage provided probable cause for officers to search Chugani’s on-campus apartment. During the search, police reported finding several items consistent with the sale and distribution of narcotics, including a Glock model 21 handgun, packaging materials, digital scales, and 29 grams of marijuana.

During a Mirandized interview with investigators, Chugani admitted to selling marijuana on campus and acknowledged knowing the firearm was in his bedroom. According to the online jail roster, he was booked at 2:38 p.m. that afternoon.

Chugani later appeared before Circuit Judge Barbara Halsey, who found probable cause to charge him with three felonies:

Simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms (Class Y felony)
Possession of a Schedule VI substance with the purpose to deliver (Class D felony)
Handguns — possession by a minor or on school property (Class D felony)

Chugani is being held on a $150,000 bond, and his next scheduled court date is April 23. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to life in prison and up to $20,000 in fines.