This is a roundup of felony charges filed May 29 through June 12, 2026, by the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office. Some defendants may also have misdemeanor charges against them, but most are not included here. The following names and charges, which are contained within public documents, are gathered from online court records available through ARCourts. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Here’s a rundown of felony cases filed in the past two weeks:
Suspended sentence for man caught with meth, cocaine
A motorist caught with drugs in an Arkadelphia traffic stop walked away from a Clark County courtroom a free man after receiving a suspended imposition of sentence on the felony drug charges.
Leonel Vargas became the target of a May 15 traffic stop by an Arkansas State Police trooper who noticed the driver wasn’t wearing his seatbelt and was in a vehicle displaying an unreadable license plate. Vargas, 47, was pulled over in the vicinity of the 2200 block of O’Connell Street.
Vargas, who did not have identification and did not speak fluent English, provided insurance and registration bearing the name of Hortencia Tlalmanalco. The trooper fingerprinted the driver and asked him to write his name and birthday in a notebook; he wrote Leone Adan and gave a false date of birth, while the fingerprint check returned an identification for Leonel Vargas, who lists an Arkadelphia address.
Vargas was removed from the vehicle, and the trooper discovered methamphetamine in Vargas’s pocket. A wallet on his person contained an identification bearing Vargas’s name. A search of the vehicle turned up marijuana, 18.9 grams of cocaine, additional meth totaling 3.4 grams in weight, scales and other paraphernalia.
Following his arrest, Vargas’s bond was set at $65,000 during a first court appearance May 18. Later, Vargas was formally charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Purpose to Deliver, a Class B felony with a possible prison sentence of 5-20 years and/or fines totaling up to $15,000.
Following a negotiated plea in Clark County Circuit Court on June 9, Vargas was given 180 months suspended imposition of sentence and fined $890.
Vargas was represented by Public Defender Clinton DeWitt.
Man accused of beating woman awake
Felony charges have been filed against Kevis Carl Smith Jr., who is accused of beating a woman in her sleep.
Arkadelphia police responded May 14 to a domestic disturbance at a South 16th Street residence, learning en route that the male suspect fled the scene in a dark blue Dodge Charger.
Arriving at the residence, police found the female victim to be suffering from injuries to her head and face. She told officer that she awoke to Smith beating her, and that the incident took place in the presence of her toddler.
Police also learned that Smith, 21, had apparently made entry into the residence with a key he refused to return after the pair separated following a previous domestic incident.
Smith, who lists a Cabot address on some court documents, was located at the Circle K convenience station, where he was taken into custody. Following his arrest, bond was set at $40,000 at his first court appearance May 15. He posted bond that day.
Smith faces a Class B felony charge of Residential Burglary, which could land him in prison for 5-20 years and/or fines of up to $15,000; as well as misdemeanor charges of 3rd-degree Domestic Battery and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.
Victim escapes to neighbor’s home to call for help
An Okolona man faces felony domestic abuse charges.
Clark County deputies were called to Buck Dewayne Vasquez’s residence on East 1st Street on May 3 when a female reported being the victim of despicable actions throughout the pre-dawn hours.
The woman phoned police from a neighbor’s home after escaping Vasquez’s abuse.
The victim said Vasquez held her against her will, made death threats and choked her to the point that she lost consciousness. It was reported that Vasquez forced the victim to watch him as he bathed. At one point he reportedly yanked her forward, causing her to hit the tub. The female said she attempted to leave afterward but that Vasquez grabbed her from behind and forcefully sat her onto a chair, where he allegedly began forcing 800mg Ibuprofen tablets down her throat, a few pills at a time.
The victim said she was able to escape when Vasquez went to the restroom. After providing a verbal statement to police she was treated at Baptist Health Medical Center.
An initial search for the 42-year-old Vasquez was fruitless. Though contact was made with him, he refused to meet with police and said he would tell his side of the story over the phone. Police caught up with Vasquez on May 6 and arrested him. A first court appearance was held that same day, when Vasquez posted the $40,000 bond that was set for his release.
Vasquez is charged with Aggravated Assault on a Family or Household Member; 3rd degree Domestic Battery; and Terroristic Threatening. Each charge is a Class D felony, and prosecutors are seeking a sentence enhancement given his status as a habitual offender. If convicted, Vasquez could face up to 12 years in prison for each charge.
Hotel room beating leads to felony charge
Felony domestic abuse charges have been filed against a man who allegedly beat a pregnant woman.
The charge against Evan Matthew Smith, 20, is 3rd-degree Domestic Battery (subsequent offenses).
On May 17 a Caddo Valley officer was called to the Super 8 by Wyndham, 118 Valley St., for a report of a domestic violence incident.
The female victim, 7 months pregnant, reported that an angry and intoxicated Smith returned to their hotel room, where he proceeded to hit her, restrain her, choke her and prevent her from using her phone. The victim was treated at Baptist Health Medical Center.
A police indictment charged Smith with 2nd-degree battery, a more serious offense. No arrest had been made at the time of this writing.
The Class D felony is punishable by up to 6 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Smith has retained the representation of Ludwig Law Firm and Warden Law Firm of Little Rock.
Disturbance at RV park ends in arrest
A domestic disturbance at a Caddo Valley RV park led to felony charges for a Louisiana man.
Police were called to the incident at 116 Valley St. just before midnight on May 13. Officers arrived to find the male suspect outside the camper and the female victim still inside on the phone with 911 dispatchers.
The suspect was identified as Tyler Lee Brantley, 38, of Spearsville.
A police affidavit indicates that the female had called 911 once, but that Brantley had taken her phone away and broke it; however, the female was able to get the phone back and call 911 again moments later.
The victim relayed that alcohol had been consumed and that an argument ensued, during which Brantley allegedly choked her, picked her up off the floor and slung her around and into walls and other parts of the residence. The victim’s physical injuries validated her claims.
Brantley was arrested, and a $35,000 bond was set at a first court appearance on May 15.
He is charged with Aggravated Assault on a Family or Household Member; Terroristic Threatening; and 3rd degree Domestic Battery. Each offense is a Class D felony punishable by up to 6 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Benton biker hurt after high-speed chase from Gurdon to Arkadelphia
A Central Arkansas biker led law enforcement on a high-speed chase from Gurdon to Arkadelphia, where he crashed and suffered major injuries. In addition to the hospital bills, he faces thousands of dollars in fines and time in prison.
Jace Mathieu Simmons, 24, of Benton, is charged with Fleeing and three counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.
On May 2 Gurdon marshals engaged in a pursuit of two motorcycles on Arkansas Highway 53. One of the motorcycles was clocked at a speed of 75 mph in a 45 mph zone, though both motorcycles reached speeds of 100 mph during the initial pursuit.
A few miles into the pursuit one of the motorcycles stopped — the driver surrendered and was taken into custody. The other driver, later identified as Simmons, returned to the scene while the arrest was being made, nearly striking one of the deputies. Marshals and Clark County sheriff’s deputies chased Simmons as he turned north onto US Highway 67, at times reaching speeds exceeding 130 mph as it traveled another 15 or so miles toward Arkadelphia.
At the order of Sheriff Jason Watson, officers reduced speed and terminated the pursuit as the chase neared the city limits of Arkadelphia. Meanwhile, police there were in the area to intercept the pursuit. Near the Walnut Street intersection, Simmons lost control of his motorcycle and struck the front corner of an APD officer’s patrol car.
Simmons was transported by Medflight to a Little Rock hospital. Simmons has a history of fleeing police in Saline County, according to a police affidavit.
An arrest warrant was served May 28, and a first court appearance was held May 29, when bond was set at $25,000 and posted that same day.
If convicted, Simmons could serve up to 6 years in prison and/or be subject to fines totaling up to $10,000 for each of the four charges. He’s also charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief and reckless driving.
The affidavit does not name the driver of the other motorcycle involved.
6th DWI means prison time for Arkadelphia man
An Arkadelphia man was arrested a sixth time for driving while intoxicated.
Donald Ray Williams, 60, was arrested May 9 when an Arkansas State Police trooper observed Williams’s pickup truck cross the center line of Pine Street. A traffic stop was conducted at the 1500 block of Hunter Street. Williams exhibited signs that he had been drinking, and failed to provide a breath sample. One successful sample indicated that he was over the legal limit.
A check on Williams’s criminal history through dispatch revealed that he had a 2022 conviction for a fifth DWI charge.
Charged with Violation of Omnibus DWI, Williams faces a Class B felony that carries a prison sentence of 5-20 years and/or a fine of $900-$5,000.
Bond was set at $25,000 during his first court appearance May 11.
Traffic violation leads officer to find cocaine
An Arkadelphia traffic stop led to a felony drug arrest for one woman.
Pamela L. Quarles, of Arkadelphia, faces one charge of Possession of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance, a Class D felony.
On May 30 an officer conducted a traffic stop at 15th and Huddleston streets after observing a vehicle fail to make a complete stop at Forrest Park and Millcreek drives.
Quarles, the driver, was unable to provide her driver’s license or insurance, but did give her name and birthdate. Detecting the odor of marijuana, Quarles was asked to exit the vehicle so it could be searched.
The search revealed two baggies of marijuana and less than 2 grams of cocaine.
Quarles was arrested and taken to the county jail. Bond was set at $3,500 during her first court appearance on June 2. Quarles listed her current employer as Twin Rivers Health & Rehabilitation in a court document seeking a state-appointed defense attorney.
She faces up to 6 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Domestic disturbance with handgun ends with arrest
A domestic disturbance with a handgun led to the arrest of one person.
Jordan Leron Hamilton, 18, of Arkadelphia, is charged with Aggravated Assault on a Family or Household Member and 1st degree Criminal Mischief, both Class D felonies.
On May 9, APD was called to a domestic disturbance at the 1300 block of Center Street. A neighbor relayed that he heard what sounded like a female in distress.
Police made contact with the female, who said Hamilton began destroying property inside the home after she told him to leave. He allegedly shoved her and threw her phone to the ground during the disturbance. Asked again to leave, Hamilton reportedly stood in the back doorway holding a handgun, which he allegedly chambered a round in and shoved the gun toward her face.
Hamilton fled the residence as police were arriving. He was arrested May 11. Bond was set at his first court appearance that day.
Each of the charges against him is punishable by up to 6 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Stabbing lands woman in jail
A verbal dispute turned into a stabbing incident in Arkadelphia, and the woman police say is responsible could be going to prison.
Tamara Ellis, 35, of Arkadelphia, is charged with 2nd degree Domestic Battery.
APD was called May 4 to Baptist Health Medical Center for a report of a stabbing victim being treated at the Emergency Room.
The male victim said he and Ellis had been involved in a verbal dispute at a Sylvia Street residence when Ellis allegedly stabbed him in the left arm with a small knife. Unable to stop the bleeding at home, he sought treatment at the ER.
Ellis was arrested May 7. Bond was set at $25,000 during her first court appearance on May 8.
Ellis faces 3-10 years in prison and/or fine of up to $10,000 for the Class C felony.
Gurdon sex offender fails to include vehicle on registration
A Gurdon sex offender failed to include a vehicle on his registration, and now faces a felony charge of Sex Offender Failing to Register.
Jason Lee Riley, 39, is a Level 2 sex offender registered in Clark County. His paperwork showed that he did not own or have access to any vehicles, although he had been reported driving a pickup truck belonging to his late father.
A traffic stop conducted May 15 in Gurdon led an investigator to ascertain that Riley was indeed driving a vehicle he hadn’t registered.
No arrest had been made at the time of this writing.
The offense is punishable by 3-10 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines.
Ménage à trois gets tangled up in blue
The classic idiom that “Two’s company, three’s a crowd” rang true for a trio whose party went south in East Clark County.
Faith Beatrice Russell, 26, is charged with 2nd degree Battery and Terroristic Threatening after letting the good times rolled into bad times.
Deputies were called June 6 to a domestic disturbance involving three people at the 3200 block of Highway 7 South.
An affidavit notes that Russell and Marlon Ford had invited Cady Stinson to their residence to “drink, play games and [for] various other activities.” Through the course of the evening Russell told Stinson that someone had stolen her property, and became aggravated with Stinson for “being with her man.” A scuffle ensued, with Russell punching, grabbing and biting Stinson on the leg.
Ford intervened, and Stinson exited the residence, with Ford following behind. Russell grabbed a pair of kitchen knives and was headed out the door, allegedly threatening to kill them both. Ford held the exterior door shut in order to keep them apart, and was able to grab the knives and toss them into the bushes.
Deputies Chase Kersey and Shannon Mecum then arrived. Kersey spoke with Stinson while Mecum spoke with Russell, who was still threatening harm to Stinson, advancing toward her as Mecum stepped between the two.
Russell turned and ran back into the house while Mecum was attempting to place her in custody. Russell then punched Mecum in the face. Russell and Deputy Kersey both witnessed the incident.
Russell then ran into a bathroom and hid in a closet. Kersey followed, making forced entry into the bathroom and macing Russell, who then surrendered to arrest.
Bond was set at $15,000 during her first court appearance on June 8. Each of her two charges are Class D felonies, punishable by up to 6 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Additionally, Russell is charged with misdemeanor Fleeing and Resisting Arrest.
No license plate leads to arrest of pot dealer
A Little Rock man was arrested in Clark County for drug charges following a routine traffic stop.
Floyd Newborn, 78, was pulled over on US Highway 67 when a deputy sheriff noticed a vehicle traveling with no license plate. Approaching the vehicle the deputy got a whiff of marijuana. A search waiver on file for Newborn allowed the officer to proceed with a warrantless search, and led to the discovery of 12.4 ounces of marijuana and two sets of scales.
Newborn was taken into custody. Bond was set at $50,000 during his first court appearance on June 8.
He’s charged with Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver, a Class C felony that carries a possible prison sentence of 3-10 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
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