A Norfork man, who was arrested in mid-December on drug-related charges, entered a not guilty plea to those charges during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
Thirty-nine-year-old Nathaniel Campbell, who is a parolee with a fairly extensive criminal history, was taken into custody during a compliance visit to a residence along South Major Street.
Campbell made his first appearance on his most recent charges Dec. 20th, but his formal arraignment was continued until Thursday’s court session.
The compliance visit resulting in Campbell’s arrest was conducted by officers from several agencies, including the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force.
Officers went to the home reportedly being shared by Campbell and a 43-year-old female, Casey Merriman, following an alleged purchase of methamphetamine from the Norfork man by a person working with law enforcement.
The Mountain Home police dog was utilized in the search of Campbell’s home, and the dog alerted on numerous items of drug paraphernalia, including digital scales and smoking devices.
Officer also reported finding a prescription bottle with the label torn off containing 103 alprazolam pills, as well as a small amount of marijuana. In addition, numerous firearms were found, including a loaded pistol under a pillow in a bedroom reported to be occupied by Campbell and Merriman. Because Campbell is a convicted felon, it is illegal for him to be in contact with firearms. In addition, it is illegal to have simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Campbell denied selling methamphetamine from the residence in Norfork, but said he was aware Merriman had been selling the drug.
Both Campbell and Merriman were taken into custody on a number of charges stemming from the compliance visit to their home. Bond is set at $15,000 each. Merriman is scheduled to be formally arraigned on her charges next week.
Campbell has another active criminal case open in which he is charged with stealing a number of items from a residence on State Highway 5 South in late December 2017. Among the items stolen was a camouflaged hunting blind. About two hours after his initial call, the victim of the thefts called the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office and reported he had seen his hunting blind in Campbell’s backyard.
The victim was able to identify the blind by checking for several repairs he had made.
Campbell has also pled not guilty to stealing the hunting blind and other items and is due back in circuit court next week.
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