Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell reported on the evening of September 26 an area couple was arrested by Searcy County deputies after they were stopped in Marshall for an equipment malfunction. Cassell said 57 year old Patricia Fulton of St. Joe and 56 year old Billy Fulton of Mt. Vernon were arrested following the traffic stop.

Cassell explained that deputies pulled their vehicle over at a local business in Marshall and asked for the pair's driver's license. While checking the status of their license, the deputy learned that Billy Fulton's license had expired. When the deputy reapproached the vehicle, he asked the couple to step out of the vehicle. At that time, the deputy allowed his K-9 partner to conduct a free air search.

While conducting the search, the K-9 alerted to the order of narcotics on the vehicle. The deputy noticed an object in Patricia Fulton's pocket and he asked her to empty it. Instead, she began acting nervous and began walking away. When the deputy attempted to place her handcuffs she pulled away stating he was "hurting her." While walking back to the vehicle, she pushed the object in her pocket out and the deputy was able to confiscate it. Inside the object was a green leafy substance that appeared to be marijuana.

While searching the vehicle, officers found a glass smoking device that contained a crystal like substance inside and two bags both containing a crystal like substance inside. Officers also found a purse that contained a bag with a crystal like substance, a green container with a green leafy substance inside and a glass pipe used for smoking marijuana.

Billy and Patricia Fulton were arrested and transported to the Searcy County Detention Center where Patricia was charged with felon possession of drug paraphernalia, felony possession of meth or cocaine with purpose to deliver, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, fleeing, resisting arrest and being a habitual offender. Billy Fulton was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and defective equipment.