JONESBORO, Ark. — A suspect accused of repeatedly impersonating his brother to avoid identification by law enforcement has been arrested and faces multiple felony charges.
Martaz Lashun Thomas, 35, was arrested on two counts of second-degree forgery, Class C felonies, and obstructing governmental operations. Bail was set at $100,000 cash or surety.
According to the probable cause affidavit, officers first made contact with Thomas on Feb. 16, 2026, while he was granted temporary custody of his girlfriend’s children following her arrest. As part of department policy, officers conducted a mandatory criminal history check on the individual receiving the children.
During that process, Thomas identified himself as his brother and provided his brother’s name and date of birth. Police later confirmed Thomas’ true identity and discovered he had an active violent felony warrant.
On Feb. 19, 2026, the Department of Human Services notified the Jonesboro Police Department that Thomas was scheduled to arrive at their office to surrender the children while completing paperwork intended for the court. While completing DHS documents, Thomas again signed using his brother’s name.
Officers made contact with Thomas at the DHS office and took him into custody.
Following the arrest, investigators said Thomas’ history revealed a pattern of criminal impersonation.
Police said Thomas was arrested on July 12, 2024, during a traffic stop in Jonesboro after providing officers with his brother’s name and date of birth. He was booked into the Craighead County Detention Center under that alias.
Investigators also said Thomas appeared in District Court on April 30, 2025, still posing as his brother, where he signed legal documents and established a payment plan under his brother’s identity.
Craighead County Detention Center officials later confirmed Thomas had been booked under his brother’s name in 2024. A comparison of the booking photo from the July 12, 2024 arrest confirmed the individual in custody was Thomas.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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