A joint investigation between the Baxter County Sheriff's Office and the U. S. Marshals Service has resulted in the arrest of two persons on drug trafficking charges.

     On March 21st, a Sheriff's Investigators accompanied members of the U. S. Marshals Service to a residence on Baxter CR 202 to attempt the apprehension of a parole absconder fugitive, JESSICA LYNN WUEST.  Officers were directed to a camper trailer by WUEST'S husband, identified as RANDALL SCOTT BEARD, who provided officers with a key to gain entrance to the trailer.

     On arriving at the camper trailer, officers gave identification and instructed the occupants to come to the door.  There was no response, and the officers then used the key to gain entrance.  Once inside, officers observed drug paraphernalia in plain view.  JESSICA WUEST was found hiding under the bed.  She was taken into custody, and she advised there were drugs in the camper trailer.

     During a search, officers uncovered approximately 200 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 111 grams of marijuana, and multiple articles of drug paraphernalia used in the trafficking of narcotics.  A quantity of approximately 38 prescription pills of various types were also found. 

     JESSICA WUEST and RANDALL BEARD were both taken to the Baxter County Detention Center and booked on charges as follows:

RANDALL BEARD, 40 years old of the Norfork area, charged with:

Trafficking a Controlled Substance - Felony
Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance Purpose of Delivery - Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine with Purpose of Delivery - Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Felony
Habitual Criminal Act - Penalty Enhancement
Parole Violation

Randall Scott Beard

     BEARD remains in custody with a bond of $25,000 on the drug charges but with a no bond hold for the parole violation.   He will appear before the Circuit Court to answer on April 4th.

     JESSICA WUEST, 38 years old of Glenco, Arkansas, charged with:

Trafficking a Controlled Substance - Felony
Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance Purpose of Delivery - Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine with Purpose of Delivery - Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Felony
Habitual Criminal Act - Penalty Enhancement
Parole Violation
Holds on Felony Bench Warrants for Fail to Appear from Benton County and Fulton County on drug charges.

Jessica Lynn Wuest

     WUEST remains in custody with a bond of $25,000 on the drug charges but with a no bond hold for the parole violation and for the bench warrants from the other counties.  She too will appear before the Circuit Court to answer on April 4th.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff