Drew County Jury Convicts Woman of Felon in Possession of a Firearm
May 28th, 2026 by Submitted
On March 12, 2026, a Drew County jury found Phyllis Faye Farmer guilty of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, arising from an April 7, 2025, incident in Wilmar, Arkansas, where Drew County Deputies responded to a report that Farmer had threatened another woman while displaying a firearm during a confrontation at a residence in Wilmar.
At trial, the State was represented by Kelley E. Fortenberry of the Tenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Ms. Farmer was represented by her attorney. Rickey Hicks.
The jury heard testimony that witnesses reported that Farmer entered the home yelling and making threats, then later produced a handgun while outside the residence.
Deputies later located Farmer and took her into custody. During the investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Farmer’s residence, where officers recovered a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition. Because Farmer is a convicted felon, she is prohibited under Arkansas law from possessing firearms. The jury also heard statements made by Farmer about her having a gun. The jury was also instructed by Circuit Judge Robert Gibson that Farmer had stipulated to having previously been convicted of a violent felony.
After deliberation, the jury convicted Farmer of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a Class B felony.
Before sentencing, the jury heard additional evidence about Farmer’s criminal history. Farmer was charged with being a habitual offender, meaning that she had at least two prior felony convictions. The jury heard she had previously been convicted of Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon on April 16, 2002, in LaPorte County, Indiana, and Knowingly Issuing a Worthless Check on June 12, 2029, in Drew County, Arkansas.
The jury recommended a five?year sentence in the Arkansas Department of Correction, and Circuit Judge Robert Gibson III followed that recommendation. Under Arkansas law, the Class B felony version of Felon in Possession of a Firearm requires the defendant to serve 100% of the sentence, with no eligibility for parole.
Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain thanked the jury for their service and the careful attention they gave to this case. He also commended the Drew County Sheriff’s Office for their swift response, thorough investigation, and professionalism throughout the process. Spain emphasized that the verdict “reflects our community’s commitment to protecting victims from violent threats and ensuring that convicted felons who choose to arm themselves are held fully accountable under Arkansas law.”
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