Couple indicted over 20 pounds of meth
JONESBORO — A large drug bust in Jonesboro last month quickly gained the attention of a federal grand jury.
Veronica Gloria Scales, 37, of Jonesboro and Malik Cason, 27, of Blytheville, were indicted Nov. 6 on charges of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, actual possession of meth, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Police arrested Cason and Scales on Oct. 3 after they confiscated 20.5 pounds of meth.
Special Agent Rick Guimond of the 2nd Judicial District Drug Task Force, who also serves as a member of the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Task Force, said in a probable cause affidavit he was notified of the shipment through a major carrier from agents in Kentucky on Wednesday.
It was being shipped by someone in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., to an address on Crepe Myrtle Drive, where Scales formerly lived.
“The package was left at the front door area of the residence, which did appear vacant and listed for sale through a realtor,” Guimond wrote.
About two hours later, Scales and Cason arrived and picked up the package, Guimond said. Cason then appeared to make a phone call and use the phone to show someone the package. They then drove back to Scales’ current residence. Police obtained a search warrant and recovered the narcotics from the residence. A 9mm handgun was found in the vehicle they were driving.
Guimond noted five children, from 10 to 17 years of age, were at the Scales residence at the time of the bust.
Cason remained in the Craighead County Detention Center, pending his arraignment next Tuesday in Little Rock.
A federal magistrate judge on Thursday agreed to release Scales from custody on several conditions, including that she live with a third-party custodian in Trumann. Other conditions include that she submit drug testing and treatment at discretion of a pretrial services officer, electronic location monitoring and that she abide by a curfew.
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LITTLE ROCK —The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is reporting over 200 cases of pertussis have been diagnosed this year, which is at least five times higher than the number of pertussis cases reported last year.
Cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, have also increased nationwide, according to the state health department. Most of the recent cases in Arkansas have been in school-aged children and teenagers.
The health department said over 30 counties have reported at least one case this year.
Whooping cough is caused by bacteria called Bordetella pertussis, which affects the lungs and airways, ADH explains. The symptoms, according to the health department, can look like a common cold early on, with a mild cough, runny nose, and sometimes a fever. However, one to two weeks later, ADH explains people with this illness can have coughing fits that can last up to 10 weeks. Whooping cough is spread by coughing and sneezing in close contact with others. Babies, the elderly, and people who are high-risk for severe illness are more susceptible to getting sick. ADH reports about one out of three infants in the United States with whooping cough will need hospital care.
The health department explains the best way to prevent whooping cough for yourself and others is to get vaccinated. ADH encourages communities in Arkansas to talk with local health providers about the vaccination or preventative treatment, for those who have been exposed to someone with whooping cough. Whooping cough can be treated with the right antibiotic. For more information, visit the Arkansas Department of Health’s website at tinyurl.com/5263erry.
