ASP makes several arrests that result in the confiscation of drugs

Little Rock, Arkansas – On September 7, 2024, at 8:37 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) pulled over a red 2023 Nissan Rogue that was rented and stopped for a traffic infraction at the 75-mile marker in Pope County while it was heading east on Interstate 40.

Troopers searched the car and found a vacuum-sealed bag containing 2.5 pounds of what they believed to be cocaine.

Following the discovery, Jerome Cotton, 35, of Buckeye, Arizona, was taken into custody by troopers and sent to the Pope County Detention Center. There, he was charged with a felony of trafficking in controlled substances.

Cotton said to the investigators that he was on his way to Nashville, Tennessee, from Phoenix, Arizona.

On September 6, at around 9:30 a.m., Blytheville police officers stopped a black 2024 Mazda CX-5 at a truck stop on South Division Street.

Calvin Hathaway, 28, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, fled the scene when troopers got close to the car. As a result, the troopers pursued him onto I-55 North in the southbound lanes.

The driver frequently failed to yield to oncoming traffic, swerving into oncoming lanes at high speeds and endangering other motorists. He also exhibited no remorse or desire to calm down.
The suspect was eventually taken off the road after troopers were compelled to carry out a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI).

The suspect fled on foot after the TVI and was apprehended approximately one mile from his vehicle.

When troopers searched the suspect’s vehicle, they found two backpacks with 77 MDMA (Ecstasy) pills, marijuana that was not allowed, and a BB gun that seemed to be a Glock 19.

It was found that Hathaway had an active warrant with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and was on probation out of Wisconsin.

After being taken to the Mississippi County Detention Center, he was accused of a number of felonies, including possession of a controlled substance with the intent to provide, fleeing, and other moving infractions.

On September 6, at midnight, ASP stopped a red Chevrolet Pickup for a traffic infraction on I-40 eastbound near the 171-mile marker in Lonoke County.

Troopers inspected the pickup after noticing the traffic infraction and discovered eight trash bags and a cardboard box that contained 163 pounds of marijuana which was unlawful.

Terry Cason, 53, the driver, and Shelly Cason, 48, the passenger, were both taken into custody and taken to the Lonoke County Detention Center from Thackerville, Oklahoma.

Following that, both were accused of felonies including possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver.

It was their intention to move the drugs from Oklahoma to West Memphis.

On September 3, just after 2:00 p.m., troopers in Clark County stopped a rental gray 2023 Nissan Altima for a traffic infraction on I-30 eastbound at the 63-mile marker.

Three kilograms of cocaine wrapped in black tape were found inside a blue duffle bag that troopers found after searching the car.

Both the driver and the passenger were from Louisville, Kentucky. They were taken to the Clark County Detention Center, where they were charged with two felonies: endangering the welfare of a minor and trafficking in controlled substances.