Habitual Offender Receives 17-year Sentence
October 7th, 2025 byDermott native, Zelma Johnson, was convicted by a Chicot County jury on July 31, 2025.
The conviction is the result of an investigation by the Tenth Judicial District Drug Task Force (DTF), the Dermott Police Department, and the McGehee Police Department. On July 8, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence at 905 N Knox St in Dermott, Arkansas. During the search, officers located and seized approximately 12.77 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia. Johnson, a registered sex offender, was found to be living at the residence without having properly registered as a sex offender.
During the penalty phase of the trial, the jury heard about Johnson’s extensive criminal history spanning over three decades, involving multiple felony convictions. In 1991, he was convicted in Chicot County for possession of crack cocaine. He was again convicted in 1997, in Pulaski County, for manufacture, delivery, or possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. In 2003, Johnson received two separate convictions in Chicot County for possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine, both resulting in prison sentences. His most serious conviction came in 2011, when he was sentenced to ten years in the Arkansas Department of Correction for Rape, a Class Y felony.
The jury returned a verdict fixing the following sentences:
Possession of Methamphetamine with Purpose to Deliver (Class A Felony): 17 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and a $1,500 fine.
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (Class C Felony): 17 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and a $1,500 fine.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Class D Felony): 3 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and a $1,000 fine.
The jury recommended that all sentences run concurrently. Circuit Judge Quincey Ross followed the recommendation of the jury and sentenced Johnson to a total term of 17 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction with a total fine of $4000.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney William Bridewell represented the State of Arkansas in the case. “I’m pleased with the jury’s verdict and sentence,” said Bridewell. “Cases involving habitual offenders like Mr. Johnson are typical of the types of jury trials we conduct in the Tenth Judicial District.” Additionally, Mr. Bridewell explained that if Johnson earned the maximum amount of good time credit while incarcerated, he would be eligible for release after serving one-fourth of his sentence or approximately 4.25 years.
At the request of the Chicot County Sheriff’s Department, Johnson was released pending bed space due to a lack of available jail space.
This conviction underscores the commitment of the Tenth Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office and its Drug Task Force to combat drug-related offenses and uphold public safety. Convictions against drug dealers play a critical role in protecting communities and saving lives. Drug trafficking fuels addiction, which often leads to overdoses, long-term health deterioration, and death. By removing dealers from the streets, law enforcement disrupts the supply chain of dangerous substances like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, reducing their availability and preventing potential harm to vulnerable individuals. Additionally, drug-related activity is closely linked to property crimes such as burglary and theft, as individuals struggling with addiction often resort to these offenses to fund their habits. Prosecuting and convicting habitual offenders like Zelma Johnson not only holds them accountable but also helps reduce the ripple effects of drug crime, making neighborhoods safer and more stable.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available. Call the Arkansas Department of Human Services Mental Health & Addiction Support Line at 1-844-763-0198 for free, confidential assistance in locating treatment providers and support services in your area.
