Gassville man pleads guilty to drug, weapons charges

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Photo: Willie Wimbley

A Gassville man pled guilty to charges in two criminal cases and was put on probation for four years during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Monday.

Sixty-nine-year-old Willie Wimbley was charged with forgery and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

FUNNY MONEY ARREST

In April last year, Wimbley was arrested after he was seen on video at two convenience stores in Gassville attempting to pass what proved to be fake five-dollar bills.

In both cases, Wimbley became upset when the currency was questioned and left the bills he tried to pass at the locations.

When he was initially questioned by Gassville police, Wimbley is reported to have claimed he got the fake currency in change at another convenience store.

Wimbley is reported to have backed off that story, but refused to say where he had gotten the counterfeit currency.

FIREARMS ARREST IN MOUNTAIN HOME

In early July 2020, Wimbley was arrested in Mountain Home after police answered a call regarding two males who were banging on the door of a residence along Victory Court and refusing to leave.

When the MHPD officer arrived on scene, he saw a vehicle leaving the residence with several people inside.

The officer reported the vehicle turned around and stopped next to his patrol car and the occupants engaged him in conversation.

According to the probable cause affidavit, one person in the car was making “abrupt movements” and appeared to be under the influence of an “illegal narcotic.”

The Mountain Home police dog was brought to the scene and alerted on the vehicle.

When the vehicle was searched, a handgun wrapped in a towel was found under the driver’s seat. Wimbley is reported to have told the police he was a convicted felon.

He said his conviction came in Illinois on a charge of aggravated assault. As a convicted felon, Wimbley is not allowed to be around firearms.

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