AMITY, Ark. — On April 27, 2024, Arkansas State Police initiated an investigation based on a tip forwarded by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that led to the Tuesday, May 13, 2024, arrest of Ethan Fagan, 31, of Amity. Fagan was charged with 30 counts of Distributing, Possessing, or Viewing Matter Depicting Sexually Explicit Conduct Involving a Child. Fagan appeared in Clark County Circuit Court the following day and is in custody, being held on a $100,000 bond. Additional charges are pending as investigators determine what child sexual abuse material images may have been generated using artificial intelligence technology. Investigators will be contacting potential victims directly. Anyone with information about the investigation may call (501) 618-8151.

During a 33-hour saturation of Crittenden County, Arkansas State Police (ASP) issued 372 citations and arrested 23 individuals on various charges, including felony charges for possession of guns, drugs, DWI, and fleeing.

On Thursday, May 9, and Friday, May 10, 2024, the ASP’s Highway Patrol Division conducted a joint law enforcement operation with West Memphis Police Department, Marion Police Department, and the Cross County Sheriff’s Office supporting the initiative.  

ASP seized 11 firearms, recovered two stolen vehicles, and confiscated a variety of illegal drugs, including Fentanyl, prescription drugs, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Marijuana.

During the operation, Troopers made a total of 11 arrests for individuals Driving While Intoxicated. In addition to these arrests, Troopers issued 29 citations for speeding, 7 for safety belt violations, and 7 for child restraint violations. There were a total of five vehicle pursuits during the saturation. ASP issued 40 hazardous citations along with 201 non-hazardous citations.  Law enforcement made 795 contacts with individuals. 

“The community openly expressed their appreciation for our proactive presence, which significantly enhanced the safety of the streets. I am immensely proud of our dedicated team and the invaluable collaboration with our regional law enforcement partners,” said ASP Captain Philip Hydron, Troop D Commander.

ASP Col. Mike Hagar added, “During those two days in East Arkansas, ASP played a critical role in protecting human life and property. The people of Arkansas look to law enforcement to carry out special operations like these to maintain the peace and safety of the communities we are dedicated to serving.”

WYNNE, Ark. —  On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, Special Agents from the Arkansas State Police (ASP) arrested four individuals in connection with a block party shooting that resulted in the death of one person and injuries to at least nine others.

“I’m proud of how Arkansas State Police personnel worked with the Wynne Police Department to swiftly apprehend the suspects in this case,” said ASP Colonel Mike Hagar.

The suspects, Quavarius Milon, 23, Tommie Frost, 18, Carl Washington, 21, and Cameron Crawford, 22, all from Cross County, have been taken into custody and are being held at the Cross County Detention Center.

All four suspects are charged with First-Degree Murder, nine counts of First-Degree Battery, and nine counts of Engaging in Violent Criminal Group Activity.

The incident occurred on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at about 10 p.m. near the corner of Williams Avenue and Martin Luther King Street in Wynne. Two victims were run over by vehicles at the scene.

Varian Campbell, 27, of Wynne was pronounced dead at an area hospital. Victims were male and female, with ages ranging from 24 to 49.

The deceased was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, where the manner and cause of death will be determined.

CORNING, Ark. – Agents with the Arkansas State Police are investigating a two-vehicle accident that killed six people on Monday, April 15, 2024, at approximately 12:23 p.m. 

The accident occurred between a tractor-trailer and an SUV at the intersection of Arkansas State Highway 135 and U.S. Highway 62 near Corning in Clay County. The tractor-trailer driver was flown to Regional One Medical Center in Memphis, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. 

Four adults and two minors were pronounced deceased on the scene by the Clay County Coroners’ Office. Autopsies will be conducted at the Arkansas State Crime Lab to verify the identities of the deceased.

Traffic on U.S. 62 was rerouted for more than 6 hours

WHEATLY, AR – On March 25, 2024, former Chief Marshal Jacob Lynn Gammel, 25, of the Wheatley Police Department, was arrested by agents from the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at his residence in Wheatley. 

ASP agents took Gammel to the St. Francis County Jail, where he was booked and charged with Felony Perjury and Theft of Property.

Gammel is scheduled to appear in court on March 26, 2024.

Blytheville, AR — Arkansas State Police (ASP) arrested Blytheville Police Officer David Paul Cross, 25, on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, charging him with Distributing, Possessing, and/or Viewing of Materials Depicting Sexually Explicit Conduct Involving a Child.

ASP Agents executed a search warrant at Cross’s Blytheville residence, seizing electronic devices and other evidence. 

Officer Cross was transported to the Mississippi County Detention Center. His bond was set at $75,000.

During three traffic stops on the evening of Monday, February 5, 2023, Arkansas State Police (ASP) Troopers confiscated nearly 340 pounds of illegal, black-market marijuana from Arkansas highways along with other narcotics and a firearm.

“We are obviously pleased when we can prevent hundreds of pounds of dangerous drugs and weapons from entering our communities because even small amounts of illegal drugs have the potential to destroy Arkansas families,” said ASP Colonel Mike Hagar. “These seizures are a testament to ASP’s unwavering commitment to keeping Arkansas safe for law-abiding citizens.”

In Central Arkansas, Troopers initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 40 East at approximately 4:14 p.m., locating approximately 240 pounds of marijuana. Paul Magda, 70, of New Jersey was taken into custody and booked into the Pulaski County Detention Center on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance with the Purpose to Deliver. 

Approximately 30 minutes later, Troopers in Central Arkansas initiated another traffic stop on Highway 165, locating approximately 32 grams of crack cocaine, 2 fentanyl pills, 25 grams of methamphetamine, 25 grams of marijuana, and a firearm. Gregory Stewart, 56, of England, Arkansas, was taken into custody and booked into the Lonoke County Detention Center on charges of Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons, Possession of Methamphetamine with the Purpose to Deliver, and Possession of a Schedule I or II Substance with the Purpose to Deliver.

A few hours later, at around 7:40 p.m., Troopers initiated another traffic stop on Interstate 40 East in East Arkansas near the 189-mile marker. Approximately 100 pounds of marijuana was located inside the vehicle. Lawrence Allende, 51, of California was taken into custody and booked into the Prairie County Detention Center on a felony charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance.