Five appear in court after major drug sting

By TIA LYONS News-Times Staff Five defendants appeared in Union County District Court on Friday on a myriad of charges stemming from a major drug sting that involved several law enforcement agencies and led to the seizure of drugs, guns, cash and stolen items from a local residence that was suspected of being a nest for drug activity. Working with officers from the 13th Judicial Task Force, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Magnolia Police Department and the FBI, the El Dorado Police Department Special Investigation Division and SWAT Team converged upon the residence at 1020 Craig Street with a search warrant on Thursday. The warrant was served at 6:25 p.m. Arrested at the residence were Robert D. Loggins, 26, Benjamin D. Carter Jr., 28, Douglas B. Henry, 33, Michael D. Jones, 27, and Robert L. Moore, 23, all of El Dorado. Aaron Morris, an investigator with the EPDSID, said the arrests resulted from a months-long investigation, and he said the other law enforcement agencies were called in to assist with the execution of the search warrant. “We knew we needed a lot of people in the execution of the search warrant, so we needed a lot of help,” Morris said. All five suspects face felony charges of possession of crack cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, and maintaining a drug premises. Loggins was also arrested on a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest. If convicted on any of the possession charges, the defendants could be sentenced to 10 to 40 years or life in prison and/or fines of up to $25,000 for each possession charge. Loggins and Carter, who appeared together before Judge George Van Hook, were ordered held without bond. Thirteenth Judicial Prosecuting Attorney Robin Carroll said the recommendation was based on their criminal histories, saying that both defendants are possible suspects in recent murder investigations and have a history of intimidating witnesses, failing to show up for court appearances, and fleeing. Carroll also said that Loggins and Carter are convicted felons. Both men vehemently protested, calling the allegations against them “a bunch of lies.” “When have I ever failed to appear in court?” Loggins asked. “Never,” a female audience member, presumably there in support of Loggins, responded. Carroll told Loggins he would have his day in court to respond to the allegations, leading to a brief verbal exchange between the prosecutor and defendant that prompted law enforcement officers to intervene. Loggins and Carter were found to be indigent and will be appointed a public defender. Their cases were bound over to Union County Circuit Court for further proceedings. Carroll said he would refer the firearms possession charge to a U.S. Attorney to see if it could be tried under the federal Safe Neighborhoods Act. Moore and Henry will also be represented by public defenders, and Jones, who made his first appearance in court with them, said he would try to retain his own attorney. Each was issued a cash or corporate surety bond of $250,000. All five defendants were ordered not to have any contact with each other or anyone at the Craig Street residence. According to an El Dorado police report, police recovered crack cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, two handguns and ammunition, and digital scales from the residence. Police noted that one of the guns was found in a grassy area about 15 feet away from the house. A plastic bag containing an unknown white powder was found inside a medicine cabinet, police said. They also said several power tools and electronic equipment that had been reported stolen, including a two-way portable radio that belonged to the EPD, were found at the residence. Officers said a digital surveillance system was connected to a flat screen TV. Loggins and Carter reportedly had $500 of police “buy” money on their persons. Police said the money was used in controlled drug buys on July 30 and 31 as part of the sting operation. Loggins was taken to Medical Center of South Arkansas for treatment of a minor facial injury he received when officers took him to the ground as they were placing him into custody. Police said four other people who were at the residence when they arrived were detained and released after officers determined they had no involvement in any illegal activities at the house. Officers said no one on the scene claimed ownership of the house. Fernando Yenez, of 222 Wildwood, also made his first appearance in UCDC Friday on a charge of sexual indecency with a minor, which carries a penalty of up to six years in prison and/or a fine up to $10,000. According to a report filed Tuesday with the Union Count Sheriff’s Office, the mother of an 11-year-old girl caught Yenez in her daughter’s bedroom one night, and her daughter’s shirt was up over her stomach. The girl said Yenez had kissed her “a couple of times” and had tried to kiss her on the lips, but she pushed him away. A Spanish-speaking interpreter translated for Yenez during the first appearance hearing, explaining to him that his bond was set at $50,000. Court administrator Jim Kirschner said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had placed a hold on Yenez.