Career Offender Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

           LITTLE ROCK—Bralyn Wadlington, who has numerous prior convictions for drug-related offense as well as other crimes, will spend the next 240 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.

           On January 22, 2025, Wadlington, 28, of Little Rock, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Judge Miller also sentenced Wadlington to five years’ supervised release. On June 4, 2024, Wadlington was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of possession with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

           On May 29, 2024, an Arkansas State Police (ASP) trooper conducted a traffic stop on a black Kia Optima for speeding. The trooper made contact with the driver, Wadlington, however, Wadlington then fled the scene in his vehicle at a high rate of speed. The trooper then engaged in a vehicle pursuit of Wadlington. During the pursuit, Wadlington evaded police until running the red light at the intersection of Asher Avenue and University Avenue, colliding with a civilian in a white truck. After the collision, Wadlington continued to disobey the trooper’s commands to comply and exited the passenger side of his vehicle and fled on foot. A second ASP trooper arrived on scene to assist and deployed his taser to subdue Wadlington and take him into custody. 

           Troopers conducted a search of Wadlington’s Kia Optima and in located in the backseat approximately 446.6 grams of methamphetamine, one FN Herstal, model Five-Seven, 5.7x28 mm caliber firearm, multiple rounds of various ammunitions, multiple bags, and a digital scale used in drug distribution. 

           Wadlington received enhanced penalties for the drug conviction at sentencing due to his status as a career offender because of his criminal history that includes residential burglary, two convictions for theft by receiving, possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, two convictions for possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with purpose to deliver a controlled substance, two convictions for fleeing, fraud/deceit to procure narcotics, two convictions for possession of a firearm by certain persons. There is no parole in the federal system.

           The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Arkansas State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katie Hinojosa.

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This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

http://www.justice.gov/edar

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