TEXARKANA, AR – A’jene Rashodd Cornelius, 29, of Texarkana, Arkansas, is headed to federal prison for over a decade after being sentenced for flooding the streets with methamphetamine. Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey handed down a 121-month sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, after Cornelius pleaded guilty in August 2023 to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
The bust went down November 9, 2021, when a combined force of federal and local law enforcement – the FBI, Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, Bi-State Narcotics Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations – executed a search warrant at Cornelius’s residence. The raid wasn’t a clean operation; Cornelius and two family members, including a small child, were present during the search, highlighting the callous disregard for community safety exhibited by the defendant.
Investigators didn’t find a few grams. They uncovered over 1.3 pounds of pure methamphetamine, enough to poison a significant portion of the local population. Alongside the deadly drug, authorities seized multiple loaded firearms – a dangerous combination suggesting Cornelius was prepared to protect his illicit operation with violence. The operation wasn’t just about moving drugs; it was a lucrative business, evidenced by the $13,000 in drug trafficking proceeds recovered at the scene.
“This sentence sends a clear message: those who profit from the misery of others will be held accountable,” stated U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes. While a statement is one thing, the decade-plus sentence is a concrete step in disrupting the flow of methamphetamine into the region and protecting the public. The investigation highlights the importance of collaborative efforts between federal and local agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Jones skillfully prosecuted the case, building a solid case based on the evidence seized during the raid and Cornelius’s eventual guilty plea. The Bi-State Narcotics Task Force played a crucial role, demonstrating the effectiveness of multi-jurisdictional cooperation in tackling drug trafficking networks. The investigation proves that even in smaller cities, the drug trade brings significant risks and dangers.
Court documents related to the case are available for public review on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking organizations in Arkansas and beyond. The sentence serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of methamphetamine addiction and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement.
Related Federal Cases
- Cornelius Gets Over a Decade for Meth Push in Texarkana · Arkansas
- California Meth Kingpin Beck Gets 8 Years · Arkansas
- Meth Kingpin Gonzalez-Rodriguez Gets 16 Years · Kansas
- Springdale Drug Kingpin Sentenced to Over Five Years in Meth Case · Arkansas
- MS-13 Leader Navarete Gets 20 Years for Meth Pipeline · Arkansas
Key Facts
- State: Arkansas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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