James Adrian Peer

     A vehicle stop conducted Wednesday afternoon, May 25th, by a Sheriff's Deputy has resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of drugs and the arrest of a Conway, Arkansas man.

     At approximately 1:22 PM Wednesday, Deputy Tanner Anderson stopped a 2006 White Jeep on State Highway 126 N in the Midway area for one traffic violation and one equipment violation he observed.  The driver of the vehicle was identified as JAMES ADRIAN PEER of Conway, Arkansas.  When the deputy was speaking with JAMES PEER, the deputy detected the odor of burned marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.  He also noticed several air fresheners hanging inside the vehicle in an attempt to cover up the odor. 

     When the deputy ran a driver license and warrant check through the Arkansas Crime Information Center he learned that JAMES PEER had an active warrant of arrest from the Conway Police Department.  It was determined that Baxter County was outside of their extradition limits on that warrant. 

     PEER was seen to be moving around in the vehicle, opening a backpack, and reaching underneath the seat.  An additional deputy was dispatched to the scene of the stop to assist.  Once the second deputy arrived, PEER was instructed to exit the vehicle.  He was not cooperating with instructions.  PEER was found to have a handgun in his right jacket pocket.  Another firearm was also found in the vehicle.

     A search of the vehicle was then conducted.  During the course of the search, deputies found quantities of multiple controlled substances, various articles of drug paraphernalia, as well as $3,750 in cash.  These items of contraband included:

Approximately 1.8 grams of cocaine
Approximately 64.59 grams of fentanyl
Approximately 120 grams of marijuana
Oxycodone Hydrochloride - 440 pills
Oxycodone - 1 pill
Alprazolam - 1 pill
Approximately 4.78 grams of THC gummies
Scales, grinder, marijuana wax, glass pipe with residue

     The firearms seized were a Ruger-57 handgun, a Precisions Guns AB-15 rifle, and multiple rounds of ammunition.

     JAMES ADRIAN PEER, 28 years old of Conway, Arkansas, was transported to the Baxter County Detention Center where he was booked on charges of:

Trafficking A Controlled Substance  (fentanyl) - Class Y Felony
Possession of Schedule I or Schedule II Controlled Substance (oxycodone hydrochloride) Purpose of Delivery - Class B Felony
Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance (marijuana) Purpose of Delivery - Class C Felony
Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms - Class Y Felony
Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance - Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Class D Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Class A Misdemeanor

     JAMES PEER will appear before the Baxter County Circuit Court to answer on June 27th, and he is currently being held in custody on $250,000 bond.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff