Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Suspects Arrested on Drug Charges

Texarkana Arkansas Police Dept. patrol officers arrested three individuals on drug charges following an incident that occurred in the 100 block of Charles St.

Officer Nick Elrod was patrolling the area when he observed a subject sitting on the porch of a house near the corner of Charles and Washington streets. Officer Elrod knew that this individual had a warrant for his arrest and as officer Elrod approached the house in his vehicle the suspect quickly got up and ran inside the house. A second individual emerged from the house. Upon seeing the officer in his yard, he too fled back into the house.

An individual identified as Isiah Watson (b/m/26 Texarkana AR) had been speaking to one of the men who had fled from Officer Elrod, and as the officer made an effort to contact him he attempted to get into his vehicle to leave the scene. Officer Elrod also observed Watson drop a small item into his car near the drivers' door. Additional patrol units arrived to assist and in the course of identifying Watson it was determined that he was possibly under the influence of alcohol. Two passengers in Watson's vehicle were identified as Kevin Leggiton (b/m/27yoa Texarkana, AR) and Markus Hines (b/m/25yoa Texarkana, AR). Both of these individuals were in possession of open alcohol containers and smelled of intoxicating beverage.

All three suspects were taken into custody for drinking in public. During a search incident to arrest officers located a plastic baggie of suspected marijuana and another baggie containing a substance believed to be powder cocaine in the drivers door pocket of the vehicle.

Isiah Watson was charged with possession of controlled substance/marijuana, and possession with intent to deliver/cocaine, and drinking in public. Kevin Leggiton was charged with misdemeanor charges of drinking in public, and a warrant for contempt of court was also served on him. The third suspect, Markus Hines, was arrested for drinking in public. A detailed search of Hines' clothing was conducted at the Bi-State Jail and officers discovered a small bag of suspected marijuana in his shoe. In addition to this officers also located several small, individually packaged plastic baggies of suspected powder cocaine in the suspect's shoe. Hines was then charged with possession of controlled substance/marijuana, and possession with intent to deliver/cocaine.

All three have been jailed at the Bi-State Justice Center Jail, and are awaiting bond.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.