JONESBORO, Ark. — Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Sonia Hagood provided a detailed explanation as to why her office chose not to pursue state charges against a Jonesboro man accused of providing a lethal dose of fentanyl to an inmate at the Craighead County Detention Center.
On Thursday, Aug. 28, Hagood issued a statement on Facebook saying her office entered a nolle prosequi in the case against Lacey Justin Barber, Jr. She elaborated, “This is not the same as a dismissal. It does not mean the charges lacked merit or that the case is over.”
The original state charges against Barber were aggravated death by delivery and furnishing prohibited articles. The charges stemmed from a jailhouse incident on July 24, 2024.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a detective on duty with the Craighead County Sheriff’s Department received a call about the death of inmate Danial Robinson around 10 PM. The detective responded to the jail and learned Robinson had snorted fentanyl while in custody. Robinson was housed in the same unit as Barber.
Jail cameras showed Barber pass something to multiple inmates in the unit not long after he arrived. The detective spoke to the inmates, who all said Barber gave them a “blue pill” they called a “Perk 30,” which is a fentanyl based pill, according to the affidavit.
Despite the video evidence from the jail, Hagood elaborated on Thursday’s actions in the case. “This decision was made in coordination with our federal law enforcement partners, who have already secured a federal indictment,” said Hagood.
Hagood’s post also said, “Accountability has already begun.” Hagood pointed to the fact that the state also revoked Barber’s probation, saying Barber is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence.
Hagood concluded her post by saying, “Bottom Line. Your persecutors are hard at work bringing justice to those who break the law in our district.”
The federal trial against Barber is set to begin in July 2026. There is no parole in the federal system.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Read more about his initial arrest here:
Suspect Faces Death by Delivery Charge in Fatal Fentanyl Overdose at Craighead County Jail
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