A man from Nevada City, California, Craig Whittingslow, arrested Thursday when he was found to be in possession of 13 pounds of what was described as “high-grade” marijuana, appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court Monday. Whittingslow was also found in possession of thousands of dollars in cash and weapons.
The 57-year-old Whittingslow appeared for a Rule 8.1 hearing. Under the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure, a person who has been arrested and has not bonded out of jail is to be brought before a judicial officer without unnecessary delay.
During the hearing, the person is informed of the charges against him and various constitutional rights are explained.
After the 8.1 hearing was concluded, Whittingslow was released into the custody of U.S. Marshals. According to the Baxter County Detention Center log, Whittingslow was released just before 11:00 a.m. Monday. He is expected to face charges brought by the federal government.
Charges of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and weapons possession during controlled substances offenses have been filed in Baxter County Circuit Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, investigators from the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force assisted special agents with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency in executing a search warrant Thursday at an address along Denton Ferry Road outside Cotter where Whittingslow had parked his large motor home. Whittingslow is reported to have come to the area a day before the search.
During the search, law officers found the marijuana as well as three firearms and a large amount of cash.
The marijuana was being kept in a charcoal-lined duffel bag designed to conceal the scent of the drug.
The state seized a Jeep vehicle apparently towed behind the motor home. A majority of the assets, valued at approximately $500,000, are apparently in the hands of the federal agency.
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