A Cotter woman, who faced a number of charges in two cases, entered a guilty plea during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
Twenty-four-year-old Alicia Nicole Pierce was put on probation for 10 years and ordered into the 14th Judicial District Drug Court Program. She will first spend 90 days in one of the Community Correction Centers in the state to undergo addiction treatment.
Pierce’s first case involved the theft, forging and passing of checks in December 2017. Pierce and others were able to cash one of the stolen checks at a liquor store. They returned to the store to try and pass another check, but were unsuccessful.
During interviews with investigators, Pierce and the others involved are alleged to have admitted to their parts in the incident.
In that case, Pierce was ordered to pay $325 in restitution. The court was told there may be additional restitution filed.
In May, Pierce was arrested again. Authorities were searching for her on an active Baxter County warrant at the time.
According to court records, the suspects went to a residence along Harding Boulevard in Cotter where Pierce was alleged to be staying. The officers contacted the homeowner, but he denied Pierce was in the residence. He said she had been there, but he had taken her to a relative’s home that morning.
Officers sought permission to search the house. While the homeowner was initially reported to be reluctant to allow the search, he eventually gave permission. Pierce was found inside the residence and arrested. The homeowner was also taken into custody for hindering apprehension.
Officers reported finding drugs, drug paraphernalia and weapons in the residence. Pierce is a felon and not allowed to own or have contact with weapons.
Among the charges faced by Pierce were possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, five counts of forgery, theft of property and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
A revocation action was left open by the state. Fourteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge told the court the state wanted to “hold the revocation over the defendant’s head.” He said if Pierce does well in the drug court program, the state would dismiss the revocation.
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