September 10, 2024

On Saturday, September 7, 2024, at approximately 8:37 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) conducted a traffic stop eastbound on Interstate 40 at the 75-mile marker in Pope County on a rented red 2023 Nissan Rogue for a traffic violation.

Troopers searched the vehicle and found a vacuum-sealed bag containing 2.5 pounds of suspected cocaine. Troopers arrested the driver, Jerome Cotton, 35, of Buckeye, Ariz., and transported him to the Pope County Detention Center, where he was charged with felony Trafficking a Controlled Substance. Cotton told investigators he was traveling from Phoenix, Ariz., to Nashville, Tenn.

On Friday, September 6, 2024, around 9:30 a.m., ASP stopped a black 2024 Mazda CX-5 at a truck stop on South Division Street in Blytheville. As the Trooper approached the vehicle, the driver, identified as Calvin Hathaway, 28, of Milwaukee, Wis., fled. Troopers pursued the vehicle as it traveled the wrong way onto I-55 north in the southbound lanes. The driver repeatedly left the shoulder, entered the traffic lanes against oncoming traffic at high speeds, and showed no regard for the safety of other vehicles or signs of stopping. Troopers performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI), causing the suspect vehicle to leave the roadway. The driver fled on foot and was apprehended about a mile away. Troopers searched the suspect’s vehicle and found two backpacks containing 77 MDMA (Ecstasy) pills, illegal marijuana, and a BB gun that resembled a Glock 19 handgun. 

Hathaway was found to be on probation out of Wisconsin and has an active warrant with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. He was transported to the Mississippi County Detention Center, where he was charged with multiple felony counts, including Fleeing, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, and other traffic violations. 

Also on Friday, September 6, 2024, around midnight, ASP stopped a red Chevrolet Pickup on I-40 eastbound at the 171-mile marker in Lonoke County for a traffic violation.

Troopers searched the vehicle and discovered eight trash bags and a cardboard box containing 163 pounds of illegal marijuana.

The driver, Terry Cason, 53, of Thackerville, Okla., and the passenger, Shelly Cason, 48, also of Thackerville, were arrested and transported to the Lonoke County Detention Center.

Both were charged with felony Possession of a Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Cason told investigators he was traveling from Oklahoma to West Memphis.

On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, just after 2 p.m., Troopers stopped a rented gray 2023 Nissan Altima on I-30 eastbound at the 63-mile marker in Clark County for a traffic violation. A search of the vehicle resulted in the finding of a blue duffle bag that contained three kilos of cocaine wrapped in black tape. Troopers arrested the driver and a passenger, both of Louisville, Ky., and transported them to the Clark County Detention Center, where they were booked on felony charges of Trafficking a Controlled Substance and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.