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Local couple arrested on drug charges

01/21/2020

Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell reported multiple drug arrests recently in Searcy County. Cassell stated on Wednesday, January 15, Searcy County Deputy Joey Baysinger arrested Latisha Dawn Crumley, age 33, of Marshall and James McKinney, age 34, of Marshall after he noticed Crumley's vehicle driving down the middle of Zack Road.

When Baysinger approached the vehicle, he saw the driver, Crumley, and McKinney in the front seat and Crumley's young son in the back seat. He also noticed Crumley appeared very nervous.

Marshall K9 Officer Sam Holliman arrived to provide backup for Baysinger. At this time, Baysinger approached McKinney, a parolee with a search waiver on file, and asked if McKinney was aware of the waiver. McKinney admitted he was aware of the waiver on file which means he has given up his right to searches. McKinney told Baysinger he was unaware of anything illegal in the car.

When Crumley asked if she could get out of the car and buckle up her son who was in the backseat, Baysinger asked Crumley if she was aware of McKinney's search waiver. Crumley stated she was unaware of the waiver but gave consent for the officers to search her vehicle stating there was nothing illegal in the vehicle.

During the search, officers located a bag containing a crystal looking rock that resembled meth in the floor behind the driver's seat and a similar shard of the stone in the front floorboard of the car. A Nartec field test of the items tested positive for meth.

Crumley and McKinney were arrested and transported to the Searcy County Detention Center for processing. After an inventory of the vehicle, the child and the vehicle were released to Crumley's parents.

The 20th Judicial Drug Task Force conducted an interview with McKinney who stated he did not know where the meth came from in Crumley's vehicle and had not used drugs since last year.

During an interview with Crumley, she stated the meth found in the car was not hers. 

20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Carol Crews charged Crumley with possession of a controlled substance, Schedule I/II, meth or cocaine, Class C felony and first degree endangering the welfare of a minor, Class D felony. McKinney was charged with possession of a controlled substance, Schedule I/II, meth or cocaine, Class C felony.

Their bond was set at $5,000 each, which they posted. Both are scheduled to appear in the Searcy County Circuit Court on February 14 to answer the charges filed against them.

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