Three Little Rock men were arrested early Wednesday after a Garland County sheriff's deputy allegedly found them in possession of a stolen vehicle and marijuana while loitering in a gas station parking lot.
Aaron Deonta Beasley, Jordan Cordareau McGhee and James Earl Bauldwin Jr., all age 19, were taken into custody at around 1 a.m. Wednesday and each charged with possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. Bauldwin and McGhee were also charged with a misdemeanor count of theft by receiving.
Bauldwin and McGhee remained in custody in lieu of $2,000 bonds, while Beasley was being held on $1,000 bond. They were all set to appear in Garland County District Court Wednesday afternoon.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the three were inside a green Honda CRV allegedly loitering outside of the Piney Road Runner gas station, 3039 Albert Pike Road, asking people for gas money. They attempted to drive away as Sgt. Greg Kellar approached the vehicle, but stopped in the lot.
While speaking with the vehicle's occupants, Deputy Clayton Green reportedly noticed marijuana residue on the passenger's side dash area, and could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. When asked if there was any marijuana inside the vehicle or on their person, McGhee allegedly handed over a small, burned marijuana "roach" containing a very small amount of marijuana.
A check on the vehicle reportedly revealed it was stolen out of Little Rock. At that point, deputies had the three occupants exit the vehicle. After Beasley exited the passenger seat, Green allegedly located a small bag containing nine individual bags of marijuana, weighing around 11 grams.
All three suspects reportedly denied ownership of the marijuana and Bauldwin, identified as the driver, reportedly denied knowing the vehicle was stolen. McGhee allegedly stated the vehicle belonged to his brother, who allowed him to borrow the vehicle, but refused to provide his brother's name. The dispatcher advised the vehicle was registered to a Little Rock woman.
Local on 11/09/2017