Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – A man is being held on a $200,000 cash/surety bond after police said he fled a traffic stop, fought a Jonesboro K-9, and was found to have meth on him.

On Oct. 27, a Jonesboro police officer conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Cruze on Poplar Street after the driver, 53-year-old Robert L. Carter, of Helena, failed to use a turn signal. He immediately attempted to exit the vehicle but was told to stay inside.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Carter asked to retrieve an item from the car and began tampering with a sock in the center console. When the officer attempted to detain him, Carter tensed up, raised his arms as if to swing, and then fled on foot. The officer deployed a taser, bringing Carter to the ground, but he continued to resist commands.

A K-9 unit was deployed after Carter ignored warnings. The affidavit said Carter began fighting the dog, prompting the K-9 handler to deliver closed-fist strikes to Carter’s face to stop the altercation and secure him in handcuffs.

Following a positive alert from the K-9, officers searched the Cruze and located the sock Carter had been reaching for. It contained two baggies of suspected meth weighing approximately 15.03 grams and 2.77 grams respectively.

The affidavit said officers also found a digital scale with a white substance, three cell phones, and approximately 2.16 grams of suspected marijuana on Carter’s person. He was treated for injuries at a hospital before being taken to the Craighead County Detention Center.

The next day, Carter appeared before District Judge David Boling, who found probable cause to charge Carter with the following offenses:

• Possession of meth or cocaine with the purpose to deliver greater than 10 grams but less than 200 grams (Class A felony)
• Possession of drug paraphernalia (Class B felony)
• Possession of a Schedule VI substance less than four ounces (Class A misdemeanor)
• Resisting arrest (Class A misdemeanor)
• Fleeing (Class B misdemeanor)
• Driving while license is cancelled, suspended or revoked (Misdemeanor)
• Failure to use turn signal (Traffic violation)

In addition to the $200,000 bond, Carter will have to wear a GPS ankle monitor upon release. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 16.

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