Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Aug. 25, 2025 – A Jonesboro man and woman face several felony charges after agents said they found a potential cocaine distribution operation near a park.
According to an affidavit, on Aug. 22, agents with the Second Judicial District Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at a home in the 4700 block of South Caraway Road.
When they arrived, they sat outside and saw 48-year-old Bernard Dorse Vanpelt and 41-year-old Shamekia Fontellia Mitchell exit the home, at which point the agents approached and arrested them.
Once the home was cleared, agents began their search. Among the items found were multiple drugs and paraphernalia, according to the affidavit:
- Five medium-size bags of an unidentified white substance
- Four bags of cocaine
- Three bags of crack cocaine
- Multiple baggies and small black tubes, two of which contained 14 individual 0.5 gram bags of cocaine
- A digital scale with white residue
- A marijuana pipe and gender
- A small glass jar containing two grams of marijuana
- Three pots and pans and a spoon with cocaine residue on them
- A 15 pound bag of baking soda used to help with cooking crack cocaine
The affidavit said agents found a loaded revolver. They also found an unzipped bag containing a loaded pistol with a round in the chamber, confirmed to have been stolen out of Jonesboro, and $1,050 in cash in Vanpelt’s wallet.
The affidavit noted that Miracle League Park is 350 feet away from the residence and directly across the street from the entrance.
On Aug. 25, District Judge David Boling found probable cause to charge both Vanpelt and Mitchell with the following:
- Manufacturing of cocaine greater than 10 grams but less than 200 grams
- Simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms
- Possession of meth or cocaine with the purpose to deliver greater than 10 grams but less than 200 grams
- Offenses relating to records, maintaining premises, etc.
- Possession of a firearm by certain persons (prior violent felony with a deadly weapon/firearm)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Theft by receiving a firearm less than $2,500
- Possession of a Schedule VI substance less than four ounces
- Distribution near certain facilities (enhanced penalties)
Vanpelt is being held in the Craighead County Detention Center on a $500,000 cash/surety bond, while Mitchell is being held on a $250,000 cash/surety bond. Both are scheduled to be back in court Oct. 30.
