Sting operation results in felon being arrested for allegedly selling guns

Tony Glenn Bice Jr. - Submitted photo
Tony Glenn Bice Jr. - Submitted photo

A local felon was arrested on multiple felony charges Thursday after Hot Springs police allegedly purchased four guns from him at different times during a sting operation last year.

Tony Glenn Bice Jr., 29, who lists a West St. Louis Street address, was arrested by police on one count of furnishing a deadly weapon to a felon, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and four counts of possession of a firearm by certain persons, punishable by up to six years in prison.

Bice remained in custody Friday in lieu of $50,000 bond and will be arraigned in Garland County Circuit Court where the charges were filed directly under seal on Aug. 7 with the stipulation the information would remain sealed until Bice had been arrested. Warrants for his arrest were issued that same day.

According to the probable cause affidavits, on an undisclosed date and time in 2019, the HSPD's special investigations division purchased three firearms from a man later identified as Bice at an undisclosed location in the city.

Investigators made the purchase using a confidential informant who was given funds by police and electronic surveillance equipment "to assist in the documentation of the controlled purchase." Prior to the purchase, the informant was checked for money or contraband to ensure the purchase was made under controlled conditions.

Detectives maintained visual surveillance throughout the purchase and then met with the informant afterward and he provided them with two rifles and a shotgun that were allegedly purchased from Bice.

On another undisclosed date, investigators purchased a handgun from Bice at an undisclosed location in the city, again using an informant who was provided funds and surveillance equipment to document the purchase. Prior to the purchase, they again searched the informant and their vehicle to ensure the purchase was made under controlled conditions.

The affidavits noted that Bice was convicted of felony burglary in 2007 and felony forgery in 2012, both times in Texas.

Bice was previously arrested on Dec. 5, 2019, by Garland County sheriff's investigators on a charge of possession of a firearm by certain persons, punishable by up to six years. He pleaded not guilty to the charge on Feb. 21, 2020, and was released on a $5,000 bond on July 27. He is set for a disposition hearing on the charge on Sept. 21 in circuit court.

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