A Hot Springs man and his wife were arrested Thursday morning after a narcotics search warrant was executed on their Arcade Lane residence by multiple agencies, including the local drug task force.
Jason Kelly Frazier, 46, and Ashley Sharron Jensen Frazier, 36, of 117 Arcade Lane, were both taken into custody at the residence and each charged with felony counts of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, punishable by up to life in prison, possession of meth with purpose to deliver, unauthorized use of another person's property to facilitate a crime, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of firearms by certain persons and two counts of delivery of meth, each punishable by up to 20 years, and possession of a defaced firearm, punishable by up to six years.
Ashley Frazier was also charged with two additional counts of delivery of meth, punishable by up to life in prison. The affidavit notes Jason Frazier is on parole out of Garland County and also has multiple prior felony convictions in Faulkner and Hot Spring counties.
According to the probable cause affidavit, officers with the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Garland County Sheriff's Tactical Response Team and Street Crimes Unit, Hot Springs police's SWAT team and Special Investigation Division Narcotics Unit and National Park Service enforcement executed the warrant and located the Fraziers in front of the residence.
Both Fraziers had multiple active felony warrants for delivery of meth. Both were taken into custody without incident.
Investigators searched the residence and reportedly located three plastic bags with a total of 12.2 grams of what later tested positive for meth, a set of digital scales, multiple syringes, multiple spoons with meth residue, a glass pipe, a loaded .380-caliber pistol, a second loaded and defaced .380-caliber pistol, a box of .380 ammunition and paperwork and IDs in both of their names.
Investigators also found an elaborate surveillance system with multiple outdoor cameras and motion detectors "commonly used to protect drug premises," the affidavit states.
Investigators also reportedly found multiple portable lights, heaters, tool boxes, two dollies, tools and fans which were reported stolen from the National Park Service, along with a large spool of wire and multiple modular rubber flooring sections also reported stolen.
According to a news release from Garland County Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Lawrence, several months earlier investigators had identified Jason Frazier and Ashley Jensen, now Ashley Frazier, as "the primary distributors of meth" from the residence.
The release also noted that investigators observed "open" sewer lines flowing on the property as well as numerous county and state code violations, including nonapproved water and electricity hookups. City, county and state officials arrived on scene to assist with the violations.
Garland County tax records showed the property at 117 Arcade belonged to a local trust, resulting in the additional unauthorized use charges against the couple.
According to the affidavits for the delivery of meth charges filed against both suspects, between Dec. 7, 2017, and Wednesday, investigators with the DTF and U.S. Department of Homeland Security used a confidential informant to make controlled purchases of meth from each of them in Garland County.
The amount involved in the two charges against Jason Frazier and two of the charges against Ashley Frazier was reportedly more than 2 grams, but less than 10 grams, classifying it as a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The amount involved in the other two charges against Ashley Frazier was reportedly more than 10 grams, but less than 200 grams, classifying it as a felony punishable by up to life in prison.
In both cases, the affidavits note that through investigator surveillance and review of the captured video of the transactions, both suspects were positively identified and the substances purchased all tested positive for meth.
The DTF is comprised of investigators from the Arkansas State Police, Garland County Sheriff's Department, Hot Springs Police Department, 18th Judicial District East prosecuting attorney's office and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.
Local on 02/24/2018