On March 11, 2026, a Drew County jury found Jacob Spurlin (42) guilty of being a violent felon in possession of a firearm. Following a sentencing hearing, the jury imposed a 15 year sentence in the Arkansas Department of Correction.

The jury heard evidence that on April 29, 2025, Drug Task Force Agents James Slaughter, Ben Michel, and Tyler Perry were assisting Monticello Police Officer Tiarra Austin during a traffic stop at the Exxon on Highway 425. Agent Slaughter recognized Spurlin and observed him intently watching the traffic stop while appearing to argue with a female passenger. Despite finishing their business at the pumps, the pair waited until Officer Austin’s patrol unit left the area before driving away. A check of Spurlin’s license plate revealed the registration was expired.

Officer Jayden Richardson initiated a traffic stop. Spurlin immediately exited the vehicle and aggressively approached the officer, prompting Sgt. Ricky Fleming to place him in handcuffs. Officers smelled marijuana, and Agent Slaughter searched the vehicle. Two firearms—a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol and a Ruger .380 pistol—were recovered. Agent Slaughter, who knew Spurlin to be a convicted felon, advised him of his Miranda rights. Although Spurlin first denied having touched the weapons, he eventually admitted grabbing the .40 caliber pistol to move it out of the way.

The State introduced evidence that Spurlin had previously pleaded guilty in California to felony evading an officer with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property—a violent felony under Arkansas law because fleeing under dangerous conditions places others at risk of physical harm.

Circuit Judge Robert Gibson instructed the jury that a felon commits the offense of possession of a firearm if he owns or possesses a firearm, and that “possess” includes exercising dominion, control, or management over the weapon. During closing arguments, Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain emphasized that Spurlin’s aggressive exit from the vehicle was an attempt to distract officers while the passenger concealed the firearms, and that Spurlin’s own admission demonstrated he exercised control over the weapon.

After the guilty verdict, Spurlin was placed in the courthouse holding cell during the lunch break, where he kicked the walls, attempted to force the door open, spat at the security camera, and urinated and defecated in the cell. Despite being given an opportunity to return to the courtroom, he continued to act out and was transported back to the jail for safety reasons.

During sentencing, jurors heard additional evidence of Spurlin’s criminal history, including prior convictions for two counts of theft by receiving in California and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in federal court. The jury also heard about his previous misdemeanor convictions—resisting arrest, threatening to commit a crime, and concealing a dirk or knife—as well as his behavior during his arrest and his disruption at the courthouse.

After considering the evidence, the jury sentenced Spurlin to 15 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.

Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain expressed his gratitude to the jury for their careful attention to the evidence and their service to the community, and stated that the verdict sends a clear message to violent felons in Drew County: “Do not possess firearms.”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 at 12:43 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.