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