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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 Corrections.
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.”
The following day, 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, 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, 2019, in Drew County.
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 percent 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.”
