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Press Release

Fayetteville Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE – A Fayetteville man was sentenced today to 168 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court documents, on May 25, 2022, detectives with the 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force (DTF) received information that Reginald Everette Counts, age 49, was selling methamphetamine in the Northwest Arkansas area. Detectives learned Counts was residing at a hotel in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

As part of their investigation, detectives checked Counts through ACIC/NCIC and confirmed he was a probationer with a valid search waiver on file. Detectives then conducted surveillance at the hotel parking lot While conducting surveillance, detectives made contact with Counts in the parking lot as he was getting on his scooter. Detectives identified themselves as law enforcement officers and they searched Counts pursuant to his warrantless search waiver.

During the search of Counts, detectives located a pouch hanging around his neck. The pouch contained a bag of methamphetamine weighing approximately 28.5 grams, clear baggies and a digital scale. In Counts' jean pocket, detectives located a glass smoking pipe and $1,570.00 in U.S. currency. A search of Counts hotel room resulted in detectives locating five individually packaged bags of methamphetamine with an approximate weight of 143.3 grams.  On May 27, 2022, Counts was released from custody on bond.  On May 29, 2022, he was encountered again with a distribution amount of methamphetamine on his person.  Counts attempted to flee the arresting officer and during the course of the arrest the officer sustained a torn ACL.    

The drugs were subsequently sent to the Homeland Security Investigations Crime Laboratory where they tested positive for methamphetamine. 

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

The Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case.

Updated February 23, 2023

Topic
Drug Trafficking