Three Arrested in Gold Coin Theft Scheme in Jonesboro

JONESBORO, Ark. — Three people were arrested by the Street Crimes Unit this week in a suspected scheme to steal gold coins.

The probable cause affidavit detailed the arrests, stating that on Nov. 19, the JPD Street Crimes Unit received a call about three suspicious individuals at the 700 block of S. Gee Street. The report said that they were trying to sell a gold coin suspected to be stolen, based on how nervous the individuals were acting.

Officers met the three ‘suspicious’ individuals: James Shaver, Jerome Phillips, and Helen Newsome. Shaver was on active probation, while Phillips and Newsome were on active parole.

During a probation search of Shaver, officers found 17 blue clonazepam pills stuffed in his groin area, according to the affidavit. Officers also searched Shaver’s phone and reported finding messages detailing plans to steal several coins and a gun from the 700 block of Amberwood Cove. Police noted messages where Shaver was attempting to sell the pills located on him, in addition to finding a photo of the stolen gun with conversations about selling it. Then, authorities searched Shaver’s vehicle and found a stolen .38 special revolver and a large number of collectible coins. Police also found a stolen credit card.

A search of Phillips led police to find a THC vape pen, several collectible coins, 0.3 grams of suspected meth, and a large stack of credit and debit cards, one of which was reported stolen. A search of Newsome led police to find two clonazepam pills, two digital scales, and several cases of coins. Police searched her phone, reporting she was trying to sell a stolen firearm and meth.

The affidavit said Shaver admitted taking the other two to Amberwood Cove to steal the coins and gun. He also confessed to trying to sell the gun.

All three were arrested in the incident.

Then on Nov. 20, after being booked into Craighead County Detention Center, jailers reported catching Shaver passing out more pills to other inmates. The affidavit said he confessed to sneaking the pills into the jail under his testicles and then passing them out. Jail staff also reported finding 4 grams of meth in a plastic bag concealed in Newsome’s vagina.

James Michael Shaver, 29, of Jonesboro, was in court before Judge Tommy Fowler on Friday, Nov. 22. He faces charges including:

• Simultaneous possession of drugs/firearms, a Class Y felony
• Possession of a firearm by certain persons/prior violent felony, a Class B felony
• Furnishing, possessing, or using prohibited articles, a Class B felony
• Use of a communication device, a Class C felony
• Possession of a schedule IV or V with purpose to deliver, a Class D felony
• Theft of a firearm valued at less than $2,500, a Class D felony
• Theft $5,000 or less, greater than $1,000, a Class D felony
• Tampering with physical evidence, a Class D felony
• Theft by receiving – credit/debit cards, a Class D felony

The judge noted his “extremely long history of theft” as he considered setting bail. With that and the seriousness of the Y felony, Judge Fowler set a $350,000 bail requirement, cash or surety.

Jerome Jamal Phillips, 30, of Jonesboro, faces charges including:

• Possession of meth or cocaine, less than 2 grams, a Class D felony
• Theft $5,000 or less, greater than $1,000, a Class D felony
• Theft by receiving – credit/debit cards, a Class D felony
• Possession of schedule VI less than 4 ounces, a Class A misdemeanor

On Friday, the judge set Phillips bail at $175,000 cash or surety, noting he was arrested in August and had prior failure to appear charges. He also has a hold for a parole violation.

Helen Jean Newsome, 41, of Jonesboro, faces charges including:

• Possession of meth or cocaine purpose to deliver, greater than 2 grams but less than 10 grams, a Class B felony
• Use of a communication device, a Class C felony
• Possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class D felony
• Tampering with physical evidence, a Class D felony
• Theft $5,000 or less, greater than $1,000, a Class D felony
• Possession of schedule IV or V less than 28 grams, a Class A misdemeanor

On Friday, Fowler set her bail at $150,000 cash or surety, noting her “very long history” including thefts and failure to appear charges. Newsome also faces a parole violation.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.