Traffic stop in Pike County leads to drug arrest

Arkansas State Trooper Seth Smedley conducted a traffic stop on May 11th at approximately 11:38pm. According to the affidavit, as Smedley was making contact with the driver who was identified as 57-year-old Anthony Barnett of McCaskill, Smedley heard an item being thrown out of the vehicle that landed in the grassy ditch, west of the roadway. As reported, Pike County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chance Reid arrived on the scene to assist. Smedley asked Barnett to step out of the vehicle and patted him down for weapons. Deputy Reid reportedly recovered the bag and upon searching the bag, the following was located: two glass smoking devices, a grinder, three plastic bags containing a schedule VI substance, one plastic bag containing a suspected schedule II substance, a small jar containing a schedule VI wax substance, and a plastic straw containing white residue of suspected schedule II substance.

When asked about firearms, Barnett allegedly told officers that he had two in the vehicle. Deputy Reid then placed Barnett into handcuffs. Barnett was transported to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office and had several charges: simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of schedule II substance, tampering with physical evidence, possession of schedule VI substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and parking on highway.