An elaborate ploy to evade a drug screening by an Izard County jail inmate has led to felony charges of furnishing, possessing or using prohibited articles and aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer or an employee of a correctional facility.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed last week, 42-year-old Kendra L. Fitzgerald of Calico Rock, a.k.a. Kendra Leigh Hinds, was the subject of the drug screening.
During the course of the screening process of the urine, Fitzgerald was observed suspiciously maneuvering her hands. Several verbal commands were given by a jail administrator for Fitzgerald to cease all suspicious activity before she complied.
In the process, a small suspicious white plastic item reportedly fell from the sleeve of Fitzgerald’s shirt. She allegedly attempted to recover the item and conceal it under the covering of her shirt sleeve.
When the jail administrator took hold of Fitzgerald’s arm and directed her to stop, the suspect took hold of the officer’s hand. While doing so, the urine sample cup she had been holding collapsed under the pressure of her grip. The action caused the content of the sample cup to spill onto the officer’s trousers, soaking the garment.
The officer continued ordering Fitzgerald to cease attempting to conceal the contraband. She ordered Fitzgerald to remove the concealed item containing urine. In doing so, she exposed a Velcro strap about her breast area with a tube traveling along her arm, concealed under the sleeve of her shirt.
A proper sample was then obtained, reportedly testing positive for methamphetamine and amphetamines.
When questioned about the ploy, Fitzgerald allegedly said a kit, along with the urine, was purchased at a pawn shop in Mountain Home.
Fitzgerald is being held without bond in the Izard County Detention Center.
Izard County Chief Deputy Charley Melton says Fitzgerald was arrested earlier this month on a probation violation by Arkansas Probation/Parole.
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