During an appearance in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday, Dwayne Thompson entered a not guilty plea to charges contained in the ninth felony case to be filed against the Mountain Home man since July of last year.
The 41-year-old Thompson is accused of a rash of crimes, including writing a bad check for almost $3,800 to a local business, being in possession of drugs and breaking into and taking a significant amount of property from homes, storage units, a shop building and a commercial establishment scattered in various parts of the county.
In the newest case to be filed against Thompson, he is charged with possession of methamphetamine and marijuana, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms as well as several misdemeanor traffic violations as the result of being stopped by a Mountain Home policeman early this month.
According to Mountain Home Police Chief Carry Manuel, an officer from his department initiated the traffic stop when he saw Thompson driving a vehicle even though the officer knew that Thompsons license had been suspended.
During the stop, Thompson was found to have a small bag allegedly containing methamphetamine. A firearm and marijuana were also found in the vehicle.
In earlier cases, Thompson was accused of taking property in a quantity that required five trailers to transport the items to the Baxter County Fairgrounds where the property could be displayed in an effort to connect the items to the rightful owners.
One of the break-ins occurred at a shop building located on County Road 27. The victims reported to authorities that more than $25,0000 worth of tools, welding equipment and rims and tires were missing. According to court records, Thompson is alleged to have admitted that he broke into the shop building and removed items.
In one instance, Thompson is said to have told investigators that he spent several nights in one of the houses he allegedly broke into because he had nowhere to stay.
During one court appearance, Thompson said he had been a good father and a good worker for 25 years, but his life went through drastic changes after he encountered domestic problems. I dont know what happened at that point, he said, I just went off the rails.
In addition to the felony cases against him, the state has filed an action against Thompson seeking the forfeiture of a 1998 Ford Explorer alleging that the vehicle was used or intended for use by Thomson in the commission of a residential burglary.
If Thompson is able to bond out of jail, he was ordered to wear a GPS ankle monitor and to submit to weekly drug tests.
Bond for Thompson has been set at $10,000 cash.
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