Numerous Drug Arrests Reported Recently in Jonesboro

JONESBORO, Ark. – Authorities over the past several days have remained busy in Jonesboro, with numerous drug arrests being reported.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court.

Between 9 AM and 10 AM on February 23 at Abilities Unlimited, 410 West Huntington, a woman who was criminally banned from the property was found in a dumpster while in possession of suspected meth and paraphernalia. Mackenzie Elizabeth Grossnickle, 18, of Myersville, MD, was arrested for felony possession of meth, drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor criminal trespass.

Later in the day, a suspect was arrested for being in possession of drugs with purpose to deliver. It began as a traffic stop for expired tags around 7:03 Pm on February 23 near Johnson and Main. Police reported arresting Courtney Duane Thomas, 31, of Jonesboro, after they located two sets of scales, 100 fold top sandwich baggies, an AT&T flip phone, and 170 grams of marijuana.

A man was arrested for possession of cocaine after “consensual contact” was made with him by police, the report says. At about 10:16 PM on February 23, Officer Issa Orday made contact with a subject at the 400-block of N. Drake Street. The report says the suspect was in possession of a small quantity of crack cocaine and marijuana. Jose Barron, 27, of Jonesboro, faces felony and misdemeanor possession charges, as well as a misdemeanor for obstructing governmental operations.

A suspect was arrested for possession of fentanyl with purpose to deliver on the same evening in Jonesboro. Between 8 PM and 11:35 PM at the Midnight Rodeo, 2801 Fair Park Boulevard, police arrested Francisco Javier Cartagena-Ortiz, 38, of Hayti, MO. Police found the white pearl-like substance with a $20 in a sandwich bags. Approximately 8.3 grams were listed as recovered.

Three people were arrested in a traffic stop that led to the discovery of drugs early February 24 in Jonesboro. The traffic stop happened at the 1000-block of Gee Street after a vehicle’s tags returned to a different type of automobile. Insurance also showed as unconfirmed. Police arrested Melissa Shepherd Smith, 60, and Richard Smith, 50, of Jonesboro.

Authorities found six suspected crack pipes belonging to Melissa, a meth pipe, meth bong, two used syringes, and black scales with white residue belonging to Richard, and one plastic bag with an unidentified white residue.

A man was arrested for driving left of center, driving on a suspended license, possessing a a controlled substance, and a felony warrant around 10:28 PM on February 24 in Jonesboro. Joseph Robinson, 40, faces misdemeanor charges including driving without a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possessing instruments of crime, in addition to the felony warrant.

A probation search of a woman’s room resulted in a felony arrest early February 26 at the 2300-block of S. Caraway Road in Jonesboro. Tamara Seals, 34, was arrested for possession of meth or cocaine and drug paraphernalia, along with a misdemeanor charge for obstructing. Police reported finding a glass pipe used to smoke crack, baggies with white residue, and more.

A woman was arrested with drugs after police responded to a theft call around 6:30 AM at Kum & Go, 2607 Red Wolf Boulevard. Police located the woman at the Days Inn on Phillips Drive. Brittany D. Dollar, 35, of Jonesboro, was arrested for felony and misdemeanor possession. Authorities logged 1.4 grams of meth and a small amount of marijuana into evidence. No theft charges were listed.

A man was arrested after a probation/parole officer found suspected meth and paraphernalia in his vehicle during a search on February 26. John Edgar Naylor, 52, of Caraway, faces a felony for possession and a misdemeanor for paraphernalia.