Monticello Live

On October 9, 2025, a Drew County jury convicted Johnathon Paul Smith of Rayne, Louisiana, on multiple felony charges stemming from a traffic stop that occurred on September 15, 2024. Smith was found guilty of Possession of Over 10 Grams of Methamphetamine with the Purpose to Deliver, Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, and Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons.

The case began when Officer Evan Ferguson of the Monticello Police Department stopped a Chevy truck for speeding on Highway 425 South. The vehicle was clocked at 73 mph in a 50 mph zone. Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Ferguson detected a strong odor of marijuana and initiated a search. The driver, identified as Smith, and his passenger, Cassie Carvalho, were asked to exit the vehicle.

During the search, officers discovered a set of multicolored digital scales, a derringer handgun, and a purse containing a bag of crystal substance later identified as methamphetamine that weighed 99 grams. Additionally, a 9mm handgun was found in a Family Dollar bag on the passenger floor, and a glass pipe was located in the overhead sunglass holder. A small amount of methamphetamine was also found in a clear bag in the passenger door.

Agent James Slaughter and Agent Ben Michel of the Tenth Judicial District Drug Task Force assisted in the investigation. Evidence collected at the scene, including a receipt from Hamburg found in the Family Dollar bag, confirmed the items were purchased shortly before the stop.

During the sentencing stage, the jury was presented with Smith’s multiple felony convictions out of the state of Louisiana, some of which were violent.

The jury recommended that Smith be sentenced to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction for the methamphetamine charge, 30 years for the simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms charge, and 10 years for possession of firearms by certain persons. The jury recommended the sentences be served concurrently, and Judge Bynum Gibson sentenced Smith accordingly.

“Due to Smith’s prior violent felony convictions and his possession of a firearm during the commission of a new offense, he is ineligible for parole on the charge of felony possession of a firearm and will be required to serve that sentence in its entirety, without the possibility of early release.” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelley Fortenberry.

This conviction underscores the commitment of the Tenth Judicial District Drug Task Force and Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain to protect the citizens of Drew County and the 10^th District by actively working to remove dangerous drugs from the community and to hold offenders accountable.

The 10th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office urges individuals struggling with substance abuse to contact the Arkansas Department of Human Services Mental Health & Addiction Support Line at 1-844-763-0198 for confidential, 24/7 assistance and connection to local treatment providers.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 5th, 2026 at 12:43 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.