Jonathan D. Ross U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Eighteen individuals have been taken into custody following a series of arrests in Poinsett County, Arkansas. These arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into a drug-trafficking organization accused of distributing significant quantities of methamphetamine in the region. The operation was announced by 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.
The federal indictment identifies Jack Brown, 58, from Marked Tree; Reginald Hendrix, 53; and Dewayne Morris, 36, both from Trumann as leaders of the organization. Law enforcement agencies coordinated to arrest 17 individuals on Tuesday morning. One additional defendant was already in state custody. In total, 21 individuals were charged by a federal grand jury on February 6, with most facing conspiracy charges related to methamphetamine distribution.
The arrests result from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation that began in July 2023. The investigation involved controlled purchases and intercepted communications discussing methamphetamine trafficking within northeast Arkansas towns like Trumann and Marked Tree.
"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."
The OCDETF program aims to identify and dismantle high-level criminal organizations through a multi-agency approach involving intelligence-driven operations led by prosecutors.
Those arrested will appear before United States Magistrate Judge Jerome T. Kearney on Thursday, February 27th. The joint investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI; DEA; U.S. Marshals Service; ICE; various police departments across Arkansas; and other local task forces. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Eldridge is prosecuting the case.
