Fentanyl Seizures Lead to Multiple Arrests in Jonesboro, Including After High-Speed Chase

JONESBORO, Ark. — Authorities are seeing fentanyl in Jonesboro, with several appearing in court on Wednesday facing charges for possessing the potent synthetic drug.

On July 21, officers with JPD observed a red Chevy Camaro traveling east on Parker Road. The license plate was expired, according to the probable cause affidavit, so the officer attempted a traffic stop. Police said the vehicle fled.

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First, the driver entered the Walmart parking lot at a high rate of speed. Then, he traveled south on Harrisburg Road in oncoming traffic at approximately 90 miles per hour, causing vehicles to veer off the road to avoid collision. Eventually, the vehicle was disabled and stopped near the entrance of Fire Station 4. Both the driver, Javon Devazie Whitaker, and the passenger, Jaligiah Wilson, were ordered out of the vehicle and taken into custody without further incident.

During the pursuit, a black bag was thrown out of the vehicle near Medallion and Harrisburg Road. Authorities retrieved the bag and found over 1,800 M/30 fentanyl pills inside, along with another bag containing three grams of fentanyl powder.

Wilson’s charges include trafficking fentanyl, a Class Y felony, and tampering with evidence, a Class D felony. Bail was set at $25,000 cash or surety.

Whitaker faces more charges stemming from a Drug Task Force investigation. According to the separate affidavit, agents used a confidential source to buy fentanyl pills from Whitaker. The source, described as accurate and truthful in the past, reportedly bought between 200 and 300 pills that tested positive for fentanyl. His cell phone was used to text prices and meet locations for the drug deal.

Whitaker is facing charges including trafficking fentanyl and possession of fentanyl with the purpose to deliver, Class Y felonies, fleeing and use of a communication device, Class C felonies, and tampering with evidence, a Class D felony. Whitaker’s bail was set at $150,000 cash-only with a GPS ankle monitor required, after the judge called him a danger to the community.

In a separate incident, at 2:27 PM on July 21, police made a traffic stop of a driver for an improper right-hand turn. The driver, Gage T. Freeman, reportedly consented to a search. In his pocket, police found two pink pills that field-tested positive for fentanyl. Another pill identified as Xanax was found.

Freeman faces a Class C felony possession of fentanyl charge, along with a misdemeanor charge of possession. Bail was set at $5,000 cash or surety by Judge David Boling.

All suspects were assigned court dates of August 21.

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