A Mountain Pine man and a Malvern woman who reportedly stopped at a bath house at Lake Ouachita State Park late Friday to take showers were soon facing felony charges after a traffic stop allegedly uncovered drugs in their possession.
Rickie Delane Johnson, 65, who lists an 11th Avenue address, and Tabetha Loraine Nye, 40, who lists a Malvern address, were both taken into custody around 11 p.m. Friday and each charged with possession of a controlled substance, meth, and possession of drug paraphernalia, each punishable by up to six years in prison.
Both Johnson and Nye were released Sunday on $5,000 bonds and are each set to appear June 13 in Garland County District Court. Nye lists no prior felony history, but Johnson was convicted in 2017 in Saline County of felony possession of a controlled substance and sentenced to three years' probation. He also pleaded no contest on Jan. 6 in Garland County to a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia and was sentenced to one year of probation.
According to the probable cause affidavit, around 10:15 p.m. Friday, Arkansas State Parks Ranger Blake Hudson spotted a green Ford F-150 pickup truck parked near the B/C bath house at Lake Ouachita State Park that he did not recognize as belonging to a registered guest.
The truck was unoccupied but Hudson reportedly saw a rifle case and a half-full bottle of liquor in plain view inside so he called for backup and set up in the 4500 block of Mountain Pine Road to wait on the truck to become mobile "to develop probable cause for a stop in addition to the closing hour violation."
A short time later, the truck drove past his location and he followed it and noted it crossed the centerline at one point so he activated his lights to make a stop. The truck continued traveling and he noted the passenger "making several movements" in the front seat. He activated his siren and the truck finally stopped on the shoulder of the road.
Arkansas State Parks Officer Richard Boyes arrived to assist and they made contact with the driver, identified as Johnson, and passenger, identified as Nye, and asked them why they were in the park after closing hours. Nye reportedly stated they were using the showers.
While speaking to them, Hudson noted they "appeared nervous," with both visibly shaking and Johnson reportedly avoiding eye contact. He noted Nye was "being overly talkative," including talking over Johnson as he tried to answer questions. Johnson reportedly consented to Hudson searching his truck.
Hudson began searching the truck while Johnson and Nye remained at the back of the vehicle with Boyes and allegedly found a glass jar in the center console containing what field-tested positive as meth. He then found a small purse in the passenger floorboard with a baggie inside containing more meth, a total of 1.3 grams combined, and a glass pipe.
Johnson and Nye both denied any knowledge of the drugs or paraphernalia. They were taken into custody and asked if they had anything else illegal on their persons and both said no. Hudson explained if any contraband was found on them at the detention center, that would involve an additional felony charge.
At that point, Nye reportedly began crying and stated she had another meth pipe concealed and indicated it was hidden in her privates. Hudson removed her handcuffs and allowed her to retrieve the item, an 8-inch glass pipe with meth residue similar to the first pipe. She told him she didn't have any drugs on her.
Rickie Delane Johnson - Submitted photo