Arkansas State Police arrest fugitive and seize drugs in recent traffic stops

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas State Police had a busy September so far with illegal drugs seized and a fugitive captured.

According to ASP officials, troopers made a stop at 8:37 p.m. on Sept. 7 on Interstate 40 in Pope County for a traffic violation.

Troopers said they arrested 35-year-old Jerome Cotton of Arizona after a search of the rental vehicle he was in turned up a vacuum-sealed bag containing 2.5 pounds of suspected cocaine.

Investigators said he was taken to the Pope County Detention Center and charged with felony trafficking of a controlled substance.

On Sept. 6, investigators said a trooper approached a vehicle at a truck stop on South Division Street in Blytheville, but the driver fled. After a chase, the vehicle left the roadway with the driver fleeing on foot but was soon arrested a mile away from the car.

Troopers said 28-year-old Calvin Hathaway of Wisconsin was arrested after two backpacks were found in his vehicle containing 77 ecstasy pills, illegal marijuana and a BB gun that resembled a Glock 19 handgun.

Investigators said Hathaway was found to be on probation out of Wisconsin, where he also had an active warrant.

He was transported to the Mississippi County Detention Center and is facing felony charges of fleeing, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and multiple traffic violations.

Also, on Sept. 6 in Lonoke County, state police stopped a pickup truck on I-40 for a traffic violation and said they arrested the driver, 53-year-old Terry Cason and passenger, 48-year-old Shelly Cason, both of Oklahoma.

Troopers made the arrest after 163 pounds of illegal marijuana was discovered in eight trash bags and a carboard box.

Investigators said both are facing felony charges of possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

And on Sept. 3, troopers stopped a vehicle just after 2 p.m. on eastbound I-30 in Clark County.

Investigators said a search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a blue duffle bag that contained three kilos of cocaine wrapped in black tape.

Troopers arrested the driver and passenger, whose names have not been released.

Both were transported to the Clark County Detention Center and are facing felony charges of trafficking a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a minor.

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