Howard County Circuit Court Proceedings

An Ashdown woman has been sentenced to the Arkansas Department of Corrections following her appearance in Howard County Circuit Court yesterday.  62 year old Rebekah Ward was sentenced to five years in prison and fined one thousand dollars.  Ward was charged last year with Possession of a Controlled Substance–Methamphetamine.  At the time charges were filed, authorities said they found Ward to be in possession of the narcotics during a traffic stop on Highway 70 near Dierks.

Two other people were given probated sentences.  39 year old Amanda Melson and 20 year old Austin Jones, both of Nashville, were charged with residential burglary and criminal mischief.  Authorities arrested the pair earlier this year after it was determined they had broken into a local residence and were living inside the home.  Melson was given five years probation and 120 days in jail.  Jones was sentenced to five years probation and 90 days in jail.  Both were also ordered to pay costs and restitution.