A local parolee was arrested on felony charges Tuesday after Hot Springs police allegedly found drugs stored in a hidden compartment in his truck following a traffic stop.
Jimmy Dale Standridge, 48, who lists a Plateau Street address, was taken into custody shortly after 2 p.m. and charged with felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, meth, and possession of drug paraphernalia, each punishable by up to six years in prison, and a misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license.
Standridge, who was also cited for not having insurance, remained in custody Thursday on a zero bond parole hold after pleading not guilty to the charges Wednesday in Garland County District Court. A felony review hearing is set for July 21.
According to court records, Standridge was convicted of theft by receiving in 2019 and sentenced to six years' supervised probation. On Aug. 31, 2021, he was convicted of possession of meth with purpose to deliver and sentenced to five years in prison, but was later paroled, all in Garland County.
According to the probable cause affidavit on Tuesday's arrest, around 1:50 p.m., Hot Springs police Officer 1st Class William Stockwell was eastbound in the 800 block of East Grand Avenue when he saw a black 1992 Chevrolet Silverado truck turn east out of the Citgo station, 900 E. Grand, that allegedly made an improper turn, and then made a U-turn to head westbound.
A check of the license plate showed the vehicle did not have valid insurance, so Stockwell made a traffic stop in the 600 block and made contact with the driver and sole occupant, identified as Standridge.
The computer check also showed Standridge to be a parolee with a search waiver on file and during a search of the truck, Stockwell reportedly found a hidden storage compartment under the cup holder on the center console.
Inside the compartment, he allegedly found two clear baggies of what later tested positive for meth, a total of 1.3 grams, a glass pipe with meth residue and a glass pipe that was homemade out of a prescription pill bottle. He also located a piece of paper in the compartment which showed an appointment with a parole officer "J. Simms."
After reading him his rights, Stockwell asked Standridge who his parole officer was and he stated it was Jonathan Simms.