Jonesboro Defendant Pleads Guilty in Fentanyl Case; Co-Defendant’s Case Was Dropped After Death

JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro defendant previously accused in a fentanyl trafficking case has pleaded guilty, while the case against an elderly co-defendant was dismissed after her death.

Court records show Jamie Benetiez Harris, 32, of Jonesboro, pleaded guilty March 30 to one count of delivery of fentanyl. A second count was dropped as part of the plea.

Harris was sentenced to 10 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections with 279 days of jail credit. He also received 180 months of suspended imposition of sentence.

Harris had originally been charged with two counts of trafficking of fentanyl, Class Y felonies, along with possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class D felony, and an enhanced sentence for alleged distribution near certain facilities.

The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Second Judicial District Drug Task Force tied to 1005 Rains St. According to the probable cause affidavit, a confidential informant reported buying fentanyl there on multiple occasions.

Authorities later located Harris on June 24, 2025, at a residence in the 700 block of Marshall Street, where he was taken into custody without incident, according to the affidavit.

Investigators reported that another resident gave consent to search the home. During that search, agents said they found three yellow pills in varying shades, which the affidavit said is common in counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. Agents also reported finding a red cut straw with a powdery substance in a bedroom dresser and a second straw on a bed.

According to the affidavit, investigators believed the straws were being used to ingest fentanyl. The resident at the home also allegedly identified the pills as fentanyl-laced and told investigators Harris had become sick after taking one. The pills were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for analysis.

At the time of Harris’ arrest, prosecutors requested a high bond. Judge David Boling set bail at $1 million and ordered Harris to wear a GPS monitor if released.

The investigation also led to charges against Dorothy Jean Harris, 76, of Jonesboro.

As agents entered the apartment, officers reported Dorothy Harris tried to get into a bathroom before being stopped. Investigators said she was found with a pill bottle containing pills labeled “Centrum S 3” and a baggie containing a hard substance that later field-tested positive for fentanyl. Police reported the fentanyl weighed 3.3 grams.

Agents also reported finding three plastic baggies containing a white powdery substance, digital scales in a kitchen cabinet, and plastic baggies in a kitchen drawer.

According to the affidavit, Dorothy Harris agreed to speak with police without an attorney present and allegedly admitted she was trying to get to the bathroom to throw the drugs away. She reportedly told investigators she believed cocaine was in the pill bottle.

Police also alleged the apartment was about 412 feet from International Studies Elementary School, leading to an enhanced penalty allegation for distribution near certain facilities.

Dorothy Harris was arrested June 23, 2025, and was charged with trafficking of fentanyl, a Class Y felony, possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class B felony, tampering with physical evidence, a Class D felony, and the enhancement.

Judge Tommy Fowler initially set her temporary bond at $250,000 cash or surety. On June 25, 2025, Judge David Boling reduced that amount to $25,000, noting the culpability of the companion case against Jamie Harris.

An obituary shows Dorothy Harris died Feb. 28. Online court filings show the state dropped her case March 6 because she was deceased.