Jonathan D. Ross U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Chauncey Slay, a resident of North Little Rock with multiple felony convictions, has been sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The announcement was made by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker delivered the sentence.
Slay, age 46, was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 9, 2024, on one count of possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. He pleaded guilty to the charge on June 30, 2025. In addition to his prison term, Slay will serve five years of supervised release following his incarceration. There is no parole available in the federal system.
The case stems from an incident on March 6, 2024, when officers from the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office and Arkansas State Police conducted a traffic stop involving a vehicle in which Slay was a passenger. Officers noted that Slay appeared nervous and confirmed he was on parole with a search waiver in place. Both occupants were asked to exit the vehicle; during this process, Slay argued with officers as they attempted to detain him.
According to authorities, "During the arrest, one of the officers shook Slay’s pant leg, causing a small baggie of a crystal-like substance to fall to the ground." After being placed in a patrol unit and while en route to jail, "Slay informed deputies that he had drugs in his pants." Deputies then stopped and recovered another baggie containing what appeared to be narcotics from his other pant leg.
The substances were sent for analysis at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratory and determined to be over 120 grams of methamphetamine with an estimated purity level of 98%.
Slay's prior criminal record includes several felony drug offenses such as possession of cocaine and heroin with intent to deliver as well as possession and delivery charges related to methamphetamine and fentanyl.
The DEA led the investigation into this case with support from local law enforcement agencies including the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Eldridge prosecuted the case.
