A rural Mountain Home man, Arthur Downs, Jr., pled guilty to possessing items commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine and with selling methamphetamine. The plea came during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Monday.
The 55-year-old Downs was sentenced to 10-years-probation.
Officers from the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force (DTF) and from probation and parole went to a residence along Highway 5 South to try and locate Downs, who was on parole at the time, to serve two active arrest warrants charging him with selling methamphetamine.
When the officers arrived at the address, they were told by the owner of the residence that Downs rented a room from her and was at the house at the time.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Downs was found on a patio smoking marijuana.
A DTF officer was taken by Downs to the room he rented. The officer asked Downs if a search would turn up anything illegal. He is reported to have replied, “you might find some bags.” Downs was reported to have retrieved a plastic storage container from the top of the dresser that held six small plastic bags with a white crystal-like substance.
The content of the bags weighed almost 21 grams. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory tested the material and reported it was methamphetamine.
Officer also found items in the bedroom which are commonly used to equip a meth lab, including two full containers of camp fuel, and lithium batteries.
Downs was charged with possessing methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and drug precursors for having the items used in meth labs.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Downs has numerous felony convictions dating back to the 1990’s. Criminal cases have been opened on him in several Arkansas counties.
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