Investigators say an Arkadelphia man is responsible for stealing a vehicle and trying to sell it to another individual.

Charges were filed this week against 35-year-old Anthony Rea Springer following a recent and brief investigation of a stolen sedan.

According to an affidavit penned by Clark County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Rick Loy, authorities were summoned to a deer camp on Highway 51, where Springer was known to reside, to speak with him after learning he was in possession of a 2007 Nissan Maxima reported stolen from a Knox Road resident in January. Days before the owner’s father reported it stolen, the vehicle had been towed to his Knox Road home because the engine had failed.

A “reliable confidential informant” told authorities that Springer had approached him/her regarding a vehicle he had for sale, the affidavit states. That vehicle matched the description of the one that had been reported stolen. Deputies discovered the vehicle during their visit with Springer, who denied stealing it but “admitted he knew it was stolen and wanted it off the property.” He further told police that he covered the vehicle because the windows were down.

Springer was taken into custody for a warrant from Arkansas Probation and Parole. At the time of his arrest police also located a set of scales with white powder residue on them, the affidavit notes.

Deputy Prosecutor Greg Vardaman filed charges of theft by receiving and possession of drug paraphernalia, with a sentence enhancement for Springer’s status as an habitual offender. If convicted of both charges, Springer could spend up to 30 years in prison.