Jonathan D. Ross U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas
A Little Rock resident has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison following his conviction on multiple drug charges. Jonathan D. Ross, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence delivered by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
Marquis Hunt, aged 42, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 6, 2024. The investigation began when a special agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) contacted Hunt at a residence in southwest Little Rock on July 8, 2022. During this operation, Hunt was detained as agents executed a search warrant. They discovered over 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 16 pounds of fentanyl at the location, along with distributable quantities of cocaine and marijuana. Further investigations revealed that fentanyl was distributed or sprayed on shredded vegetable material mixed with tramadol to resemble synthetic marijuana or "K2." In court, Hunt admitted to selling drugs but denied involvement with those found at the residence.
After a three-day trial, a federal grand jury convicted Hunt on four counts: possession with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
In addition to his prison term, Judge Moody imposed five years of supervised release and $400 in special assessments on Hunt. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at identifying and dismantling high-level criminal organizations using a prosecutor-led approach supported by multiple agencies. More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The FBI led the investigation with support from the Arkansas State Police and Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda Fields and Reese Lancaster prosecuted the case.
