Truck, $13,800, firearm and drugs seized with arrest

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Photo: Paul Edward Chavis

Izard County authorities have arrested a Fulton County man, 35-year-old Paul Edward Chavis of Glencoe, after finding him slumped forward in the seat of his vehicle with his eyes closed and his truck idling with its front bumper inches from entering the roadway. Upon further investigation, Chavis’ right foot was found pressing the accelerator and the brake pedal simultaneously.

According to the probable cause affidavit, an Izard County deputy was on patrol on Arkansas Highway 9 in Melbourne during the early morning hours Sunday when he observed Chavis’ vehicle at the intersection of Newburg Road.

In addition to the position of the truck, the deputy noted its high beams were engaged, along with a large LED light bar in the middle of the grill and the engine idling at a high RPM.

After several raps on the truck window, Chavis finally awoke, telling the deputy he was viewing his GPS.

Due to Chavis exhibiting heavy breathing and trembling of his hands and voice, Standard Field Sobriety tests were conducted, with no signs of impairment shown.

When Chavis was informed a K9 would be deployed, he reportedly became verbally combative and said he had not given consent to search his vehicle.

When the K9 alerted near the rear passenger door, Chavis told the deputy he remembered having an old marijuana grinder in the vehicle and offered to retrieve the item.

The deputy’s search of the vehicle revealed

– 3 large bundles of an cash totaling $13,800

– a .40 caliber handgun in the front passenger seat, with one round chambered

– 2 bags containing white, crystalline substance field testing positive as methamphetamine

– baggie containing folded wax paper, one LSD blotter with 12 seperate doses

– 2 glass smoking devices with white crystalline and burnt residue field testing positive for presence of meth

– baggie containing green leafy substance resembling marijuana

– metallic-type grinding tool with green leafy substance

– 7 bags of labeled THC infused gummies

– 1 glass “bong” smoking device field testing positive for presence of meth

– 2 cellphones

– 1 metal safe

A search of Chavis’ person revealed an additional $203, which was also seized, along with his vehicle.

Chavis is charged with

– Possession with the purpose to deliver methamphetamine, a Class A felony

– Possession with the purpose to deliver Schedule I or II controlled substance not methamphetamine, Class C felony

– Possession with the purpose to deliver Schedule VI controlled substance, Class C felony

– Possession of drug paraphernalia with the purpose to analyze methamphetamine, Class B felony

– Possession of drug paraphernalia with the purpose to ingest methamphetamine, Class D felony

– Simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, Class Y felony

Chavis allegedly indicated he first used meth as a teenager and began using heavily again in 2016. He reportedly admitted to selling/distributing meth since early 2017. He admitted to selling large quantities of meth for the past two years.

His bond has been set at $100,000.

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