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Fentanyl Conspiracy Sentences in Arkansas
Eight defendants have been sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl in the Eastern District of Arkansas. The defendants, who were previously indicted on a 13-count indictment, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The defendants sentenced include Adrian Perry, Briana McElroy, Miguel Thompson, Jaylen Ester, April Reyes, Saundra Lunsford, Carma Brown, and James Chenault. Each of the defendants was sentenced by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
The sentences handed down include:
Adrian Perry, 39, of England, Arkansas, was sentenced on June 2, 2025, to 180 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Briana McElroy, 34, of Dardanelle, Arkansas, was sentenced on April 15, 2025, to 60 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release.
Miguel Thompson, 42, of Russellville, Arkansas, was sentenced on April 15, 2025, to 197 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Jaylen Ester, 31, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, was sentenced on January 16, 2025, to 192 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
April Reyes, 41, of Russellville, Arkansas, was sentenced on December 16, 2024, to 60 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release.
Saundra Lunsford, 30, of Russellville, Arkansas, was sentenced on December 10, 2024, to 60 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release.
James Chenault, 42, of Russellville, Arkansas, was sentenced on November 4, 2024, to 210 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Carma Brown, 38, of Russellville, Arkansas, was sentenced on October 22, 2024, to 41 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release.
The defendants have significant criminal histories, with some classified as career offenders. Perry’s criminal history includes convictions for possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. Ester’s criminal history includes convictions for residential burglary and robbery. Thompson’s criminal history includes convictions for delivery of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, intimidating a witness, delivery of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to deliver oxycodone. Chenault’s criminal history includes convictions for delivery of marijuana, battery, domestic battery, escape, possession of methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to deliver, and possession of firearms by certain persons.
“Because fentanyl is so deadly and because it is being sent to our country by foreign adversaries ostensibly to result in the deaths of many Americans, our office will continue to regard the distribution of fentanyl as a violent crime which commands our office’s full attention,” said Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “Protecting our citizens from violent crime is the basic responsibility of law enforcement and so prosecuting those involved with distributing deadly drugs is part of the core mission at our office. If you are involved in distributing the poisons of fentanyl and methamphetamine, we will not concern ourselves with trying to empathize with you as to why you made such despicable decisions; rather, we will commit to fully prosecuting you and seeking to keep you away from our communities through incarceration.”
The investigation into the defendants revealed that they were distributing fentanyl from 2020 through approximately December 2022.
The case was investigated by law enforcement officers who worked to bring the defendants to justice.
Key Facts
- State: Arkansas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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