Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – A Jonesboro man was arrested following a multi-month investigation after agents said they uncovered a cache of narcotics and paraphernalia inside his home.
District Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause to charge 44-year-old Robert Hooker Sanders with the following:
- Manufacture of cocaine greater than 10 grams but less than 200 grams (Class Y felony)
- Two counts of possession of meth or cocaine greater than 10 grams but less than 200 grams (Class B felony)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (Class D felony)
- Two counts of delivery of meth or cocaine greater than two grams but less than 10 grams (Class B felony)
The arrest stems from an investigation that began in April, when the Second Judicial Drug Task Force received information that Sanders was involved in the selling of crack cocaine and meth in Jonesboro.
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According to a probable cause affidavit, between April and May, agents coordinated two controlled purchases utilizing a confidential source (CS). Before the purchases, the CS met with agents at a secure location, where the CS was given specific instructions, restrictions, and limitations regarding how to conduct the purchases. The CS was also given money and a recording device.
Once the CS arrived at the location to meet Sanders, they exchanged money provided by agents for an off-white hard substance suspected to be crack cocaine. During each transaction, the CS was able to buy the crack cocaine, with each one weighing between two and 10 grams.
As a result of this investigation, arrest and search warrants were issued for Sanders.
On June 17, agents conducted surveillance on Sanders’ home on North Rogers Street. He was seen at the home, leaving while locking the door behind him, then driving away in his vehicle. Shortly after, he was taken into custody following a traffic stop.
Once Sanders was brought back to his home, a search warrant was executed. There, agents found several items:
- Two boxes of opened sandwich baggies
- Cans of different cleaners that were hollowed out and contained multiple baggies of cocaine and crack cocaine
- A set of digital scales with white residue
- Several dishes with white residue suspected to be cocaine
Agents also found an empty box of baking soda, which was suspected to be used in the making of crack cocaine.
In total, 16.94 grams of cocaine and 44.17 grams of crack cocaine were seized from the property.
Sanders was arrested and booked into the Craighead County Detention Center originally on a $250,000 cash/surety bond. He was released on June 19 on a reduced $150,000 cash/surety bond.
Sanders’ next court appearance is scheduled for July 30. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to life in prison and fines up to $70,000.
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