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Police: Raid uncovers gambling operation, marijuana transactions at Jonesboro apartment

Police: Raid uncovers gambling operation, marijuana transactions at Jonesboro apartment

Photo: Contributed/Craighead County Sheriff's Office


Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Two Jonesboro men are facing multiple felony charges after agents said the duo ran a gambling operation and sold marijuana at an apartment that had been under surveillance for weeks.

District Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause to charge 30-year-old Brandon Larrell Williams and 38-year old Dedrick Deshun Martin with the following:

  • Class B Felony: Offenses relating to records, maintaining premises
  • Class D Felony: Gambling houses
  • Class D Felony: Possession of a Schedule VI substance with the purpose to deliver
  • Class D Felony: Possession of drug paraphernalia

The charges were the result of a search warrant that occurred Nov. 6 at an apartment in the 300 block of Melrose Street.

According to the affidavit, while conducting surveillance, Jonesboro Police Drug Task Force agents saw Williams walking in and out of the apartment and conducting a dice gambling game. Agents noted this pattern had been going on for weeks before the warrant.

During the search, agents found 36 grams of marijuana packaged into eight bags, a digital scale, and plastic bags used for packaging narcotics for sale. Martin was also seen in the home throwing a bag of marijuana when agents came in, while two other men were inside trying to buy marijuana.

“Prior surveillance had identified both Martin and Williams utilizing this residence to sell marijuana and conduct dice gambling games,” the affidavit said.

Williams was given a $250,000 cash/surety bond. He was also ordered to wear a GPS ankle monitor. Meanwhile, Martin was given a $175,000 cash/surety bond, with Fowler noting Martin had a “long history” of drug possession with the purpose to deliver charges out of Tennessee.

Both men are scheduled to be back in court on Dec. 16.

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