Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — July 24, 2025 — A Jonesboro man is being held on a $250,000 cash/surety bond after law enforcement said they found multiple firearms and drugs while on probation for a prior felony.

Judge David Boling found probable cause July 23 to charge 27-year-old Jaqawn Qwaje Whitaker with simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of meth or cocaine with the purpose to deliver greater than two grams but less than 10 grams, possession of a firearm by certain persons (prior felony), theft by receiving firearm less than $2,500, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the affidavit, on July 21, agents with the Second Judicial Drug Task Force searched a home in the 2400 block of Judes Way after Circuit Judge Chris Thyer signed a warrant in June.

Several weapons, drugs, and other items were found in the home, including:

  • An AR-15 rifle
  • 9mm pistol
  • A stolen 9mm pistol along with a loaded magazine
  • Two baggies containing a total of 3.6 grams of cocaine
  • A digital scale with cocaine residue on it
  • A pill bottle containing 0.5 grams of cocaine in a baggie

The affidavit said when Whitaker arrived at the home during the search, he was arrested after the initial findings were made.

According to the affidavit, during a Mirandized interview, Whitaker said the cocaine inside the home was his and did not belong to his girlfriend, who was in the home with several juveniles when the search was conducted. He also said he owned the AR-15 rifle and the stolen pistol.

The affidavit noted that Whitaker is on a suspended imposition of a sentence from a 2018 possession charge, while Boling noticed a second possession charge the same year during Wednesday’s hearing. Whitaker said that he knew he was a felon and was currently on unsupervised probation.

When discussing the bond Wednesday, Boling agreed that the state’s recommendation for the $250,000 cash/surety bond was appropriate, based on the nature of the charges, high likelihood of conviction, and an ongoing threat of danger to the community due to the stolen weapons and drugs found.

Whitaker’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 21.