Ricky Thompson, Distribution of Controlled Substance, Arkansas 2013

LITTLE ROCK – A Blytheville man has appeared in court for the second time in six months on federal drug charges.

Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas announced today that Ricky Thompson, age 33, of Blytheville, made his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe on a Criminal Complaint charging him with distribution of a controlled substance and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Thompson was indicted on March 13, 2013, along with 18 others from Blytheville in a High Intensity Trafficking Suppression (H.I.T.S.) Operation. In that Indictment Thompson was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and four counts of distribution of cocaine base.

According to the arrest affidavit filed with the Criminal Complaint on September 20, 2013, Thompson was on pre-trial release in the custody of his mother pending those charges. Following a lead that Thompson was continuing to distribute narcotics, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assigned an agent to confirm this information.

Several controlled purchases of methamphetamine were arranged through a confidential informant from September 4, 2013 to September 20, 2013. Subsequently an arrest warrant was issued last Friday, September 20, 2013. Thompson surrendered to authorities on Thursday, September 26, 2013. Thompson remains in custody after his appearance today.

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms – Little Rock Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Cameron McCree is prosecuting this case for the United States.

The charges set forth in a Complaint are merely allegations. A federal Grand Jury will decide whether to indict on these charges. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The defendant, Ricky Thompson, is currently in custody facing charges of distribution of a controlled substance and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

The investigation and prosecution of this case are part of a long-term effort by the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas to combat narcotics trafficking in the region.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edar/pr/blytheville-drug-dealer-appears-court-second-time-six-months-federal-drug-charges