Arkansas 16th Judicial District drug offenders received tough punishment and were forced to give up more than $80,000 in asset forfeitures in 2022, according to a release from Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kellye S. Barber.
One Independence County drug offender received a 35-year prison sentence. An Independence County jury found Shawn E. Smart, 49, of Magness, guilty of two felonies and sentenced him to 35-years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Smart received 15 years for the possession of less than two grams of methamphetamine, a class D felony, and 20 years for his failure to appear for a court date, a Class C felony, relating to previous drug offences. Because Smart is a habitual offender, he qualified for an enhanced sentencing.
At the time of Smart’s arrest on the most recent drug charge, he was on probation for previous drug charges. Smart’s probation officer made a home visit and discovered the methamphetamine. The trial was held in Independence County Circuit Court with Circuit Court Judge Tim Weaver presiding. Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Kellye S. Barber and Daniel Haney presented the case for the state.
Asset Forfeitures
In 2022, drug crimes in the 16th Judicial District brought in cash and property that was used in the commission of a crime. The combined total for cash forfeitures amounted to $79,191. Additionally, property forfeitures of vehicles, guns and other items were seized.
The counties in the 16th Judicial District are Independence, Cleburne, Izard, Stone and Fulton. Independence County, the most populated in the district, led the cash forfeiture collections with $21,004, followed by Cleburne, Izard, Stone and Fulton.
“The task force will use these funds to aggressively target and eradicate drug traffickers who plague this community,” Barber said.
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