Aggravated Death by Delivery Charge Reduced to Manslaughter in 15-Year Plea Deal

JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro man initially charged with aggravated death by delivery after Tracy Marlar was found dead in her vehicle in 2024 was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison after prosecutors agreed to reduce the charge to manslaughter and drop two related felony counts.

Randy Joe Coaker, 40, entered a negotiated guilty plea Aug. 3 in Craighead County Circuit Court to manslaughter based on negligence in the course of a felony, a Class B felony. Circuit Judge Scott Ellington accepted the sentencing recommendation negotiated by the state and defense.

Coaker was sentenced to 180 months in the Arkansas Division of Correction, with an additional 60 months suspended. He received credit for 876 days already served.

As part of the agreement, prosecutors nolle prossed a Class Y felony count of delivery of fentanyl and a Class C felony count of illegal use of a communication device.

At Coaker’s first appearance in 2024, the aggravated death by delivery charge was listed as an unclassified felony punishable by 20 to 60 years or life in prison.

For the amended manslaughter charge, the sentencing order lists a presumptive prison range of six to 12 years. The negotiated 15-year term is three years above the top of that range.

Deputy Prosecutor Jessica Thomason represented the state and signed the sentencing order. Public defender Aarika Thompson represented Coaker.

NEA Report contacted Prosecuting Attorney Sonia Hagood for comment on the story. If we receive a response, it will be updated here. 

The Case

The case began shortly before midnight March 5, 2024, when Jonesboro police responded to West Monroe Avenue regarding an unresponsive person. Officers found Marlar dead in the passenger seat of her vehicle, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The affidavit said officers observed no signs of injury or trauma, but noted froth around Marlar’s mouth that appeared consistent with an overdose.

Investigators reported receiving conflicting accounts about how Marlar arrived at the residence. Coaker initially claimed Marlar stopped at his home, left and did not return. He said he later took an Uber to the West Monroe residence after being told she was drunk and had passed out in her vehicle.

Two witnesses told police Marlar had been with Coaker and began overdosing in the front passenger seat while he drove. One witness said Marlar went limp and fell toward Coaker while the witness repeatedly told him he needed to do something.

The affidavit alleges Coaker placed Marlar upright, drove back to his apartment and had another person return Marlar and her vehicle to the West Monroe residence. Coaker waited approximately two hours before returning by Uber and calling police, according to the affidavit.

A witness also alleged Coaker removed several green and blue pills from Marlar’s purse and disposed of them before contacting police.

A search of Marlar’s cellphone, authorized by her parents, showed she had sent Coaker $400 through Cash App while asking to buy hydrocodone, the affidavit said. Coaker allegedly told her he did not have hydrocodone but had M30 pills, which are commonly counterfeited with fentanyl.

Messages indicated Marlar agreed to buy 10 pills for $300 after Coaker sent her a video and photograph of the pills. Coaker allegedly warned her that a green pill was particularly strong and later described the pills as “pure.”

A rapid State Crime Laboratory drug test was positive for fentanyl and benzodiazepines, the latter of which Marlar was prescribed, according to the affidavit.

After his arrest, Coaker gave investigators several accounts before admitting he sold Marlar six “roxy” pills, the affidavit said. Coaker reportedly told police he had considered that the pills might contain fentanyl after becoming sick on two occasions when he took half of a pill, but said he was unsure.

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