PARAGOULD, Ark. — A man faces significant potential prison time after being arrested by the sheriff’s department following a chase Sunday in Greene County.
On Jan. 25, 2025, Deputy Cameron Harrison with the Greene County Sheriff’s Department witnessed a vehicle fail to yield for oncoming traffic at the intersection of Greene 890 Road and Greene 853 Road, nearly causing an accident according to the probable cause affidavit. The deputy initiated a traffic stop but the vehicle fled, driving at a high rate of speed.
The vehicle continued eastbound on Greene 853 before running off the roadway and colliding with a ditch just east of Greene 851 Road. The deputy detained the driver, identified as Xander Wheat.
Wheat was on probation already, so a probation search was conducted of the vehicle and his person. During the search, two clear plastic bags of a white crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine were located, as well as a large plastic bag containing suspected marijuana. In total, 3.8 ounces of suspected meth and 25 grams of suspected marijuana were confiscated.
Police also located a Mossberg Maverick Model 88 20 Gauge Shotgun in the vehicle. After searching the scene, police reported a Taurus G3c .40 caliber handgun was thrown out of the vehicle.
It was also learned that the suspect was driving on a suspended license and the vehicle had fictitious tags.
Xander Wheat, 22, of Paragould, now faces charges that include:
- Simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, a Class Y felony
- Possession of meth with purpose to deliver, a Class A felony
- Possession of firearms by certain persons, a Class B felony
- Fleeing, a Class D felony
- Possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor
- Tampering with physical evidence, a Class B misdemeanor
- Stop signs and yield signs, Unclassified misdemeanor
- Reckless driving, Unclassified misdemeanor
- Penalty for using or making unofficial license plates, Unclassified misdemeanor
Jail records appear to show at least two failure-to-appear warrants for Wheat, in addition to a warrant from an outside county.
Bail was set by Judge Dan Stidham at $50,000 cash-only, with an ankle monitor ordered as a condition of his release. The defendant must also not possess any weapons or controlled substances.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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