Class Y Felony Drug, Gun Charges Filed After Paragould Traffic Stop

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A Paragould man was arrested on several felony charges after police said a traffic stop led investigators to suspected drugs, firearms and ammunition.

Charles Bright, 37, was arrested after investigators with the Paragould Police Department’s VICE unit conducted a traffic stop June 30 for driving on a suspended license, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Police said investigators smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle and Bright told them he had a blunt. An 11-year-old child was in the passenger seat of the vehicle, according to the affidavit.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of suspected ecstasy pills, about 108 grams of marijuana, nine pills identified as diazepam and two large plastic bags containing a white crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine weighing about 578.2 grams, according to the affidavit.

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Authorities then obtained a search warrant for Bright’s residence. During the search, police reported finding about 1,500.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a Palmetto State Armory AR-15 rifle, Xanax bars, suspected MDMA, a marijuana vape, a scale with residue, a glass bong, ammunition and other paraphernalia.

In all, police reported finding about 2,078.8 grams, or about 4.6 pounds, of suspected methamphetamine between the vehicle and residence.

The affidavit said four juveniles lived at the residence, where police said suspected methamphetamine and a firearm would have been accessible to children. Police also said the residence was about 833 feet from Ram Academy in Paragould.

Bright faces the following charges:

• Trafficking a controlled substance, a Class Y felony
• Simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, a Class Y felony
• Possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance, not methamphetamine, with purpose to deliver, a Class A felony
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession of a firearm by certain persons, a Class B felony
• Unlawful use of a communication device, a Class C felony
• Possession of Schedule VI with purpose to deliver, a Class D felony
• Four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, Class D felonies
• Possession of Schedule IV or V with purpose to deliver, a Class D felony
• Driving on a suspended license

Bright also faces enhanced penalties under state law for proximity to certain facilities.

Judge Curtis Hitt set bond at $500,000 cash or surety, with a requirement that Bright wear an ankle monitor and possess no weapons.

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