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Little Rock police officers Mark Jones, Randall Robinson arrested on federal drug charges


LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Two Little Rock police officers are under arrest and charged with federal drug charges.
Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas; Randall C. Coleman, Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Stuart Thomas, Chief of the Little Rock Police Department announced the arrests this morning of Mark Anthony Jones, age 45, and Randall Tremayn Robinson, age 38, for conspiracy to aid and abet possession with intent to distribute over 1,000 pounds of marijuana; aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute over 1,000 pounds of marijuana; and possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

"Those who are sworn to uphold the law and protect citizens are not above the law," said Thyer. "It is our duty to bring justice to the honest hard-working law enforcement community and law-abiding people of Arkansas by prosecuting the few who choose to ignore the law and commit crimes while in uniform."
"Today's arrests are bittersweet," stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Randall C. Coleman. "While the allegations that two Little Rock Police Officers participated in corrupt acts are disappointing, this joint investigation between our agency and the Little Rock Police Department represents an extraordinary, collaborative effort at combating corruption."

Chief Thomas added, "It is disheartening to know that members of this Department have violated their oaths and our trust in the egregious and callous manner provided in the criminal complaint. I am, however, extremely proud of the men and women of this Department who participated in this difficult and demanding investigation and who, throughout, demonstrated professionalism, integrity and confidentiality to the highest degree. I am also deeply indebted to the United States Attorney's Office and the Little Rock Office of the FBI which, without hesitation, provided the resources and expertise necessary to bring this matter to a successful conclusion."

According to the affidavit, it alleges that beginning on January 4, Jones began communicating with a confidential human source (CHS) and subsequently agreed to escort a shipment of marijuana. Jones met the CHS with the shipment off of I-430 and while on duty in his patrol car, escorted the CHS with a purported shipment of marijuana to storage in Little Rock on January 12. Jones allegedly provided security for another purported shipment on January 31. Jones was paid $2,000 by the CHS for each time he provided security.
In February 2012, Jones traveled to Los Angeles, California to meet the drug trafficking counterpart on the West Coast. The counterpart was an undercover agent (UCA) who discussed increasing the size of the marijuana load from 200 to 1,000 pounds to decrease the risk of multiple cross country trips. Jones agreed to get additional security for the shipment. The affidavit goes on to allege that on March 22, Jones and Robinson provided security for a purported 1,000 of pharmaceutical grade marijuana while on-duty driving marked patrol vehicles, while armed and in uniform. Jones and Robinson were paid $5,000 each for providing security on this shipment.
This investigation was conducted by the Little Rock Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in cooperation and with substantial support from the Little Rock Police Department. Criminal Chief Assistant United States Attorney, Pat Harris is prosecuting this case for the United States.

An indictment contains only allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty