DREW COUNTY, Ark. — On May 13, 2026, a Drew County jury convicted Jimmie L. Foster of Dermott on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm following a traffic stop and subsequent investigation conducted by the Arkansas State Police.
The incident occurred Friday, May 17, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., when Arkansas State Police Trooper David Menotti initiated a traffic stop on State Highway 35 East in Drew County. The driver was identified as Foster. Also in the vehicle were front seat passenger Larry Woods and rear seat passenger Jessica Hardie, both of Dermott.
During the stop, Menotti determined that Foster was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. Menotti asked all occupants to exit the vehicle and conducted a search. During the search, a loaded SAR Arms 9mm handgun was discovered beneath the driver’s seat where Foster had been seated. Foster was placed under arrest and transported to the Drew County Detention Facility for processing. Woods and Hardie were released at the scene.
Following his arrest, and after an interview was completed, Foster admitted to State Police Agent David Tumey that the firearm belonged to him. He stated he possessed the weapon for protection, citing safety concerns in Dermott.
The state was represented by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Wigley, and Foster was represented by defense attorney Eugene Clifford.
After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a guilty verdict. During the sentencing phase, the jury heard about Foster’s criminal history, which included:
• Pulaski County (CR 2008-1783): Criminal use of a prohibited weapon, Class D felony
• Chicot County (CR 2009-51): Battery in the second degree, Class D felony, and misdemeanor fleeing on foot
• Chicot County (CR 2014-69): Aggravated assault, Class D felony
• Chicot County (CR 2017-91): Battery in the second degree, Class D felony, and felon in possession of a firearm, Class B felony
• Faulkner County (CR 2018-1249): Battery in the second degree, Class D felony, along with misdemeanor convictions for resisting arrest and assault in the second degree
Circuit Judge Crews Puryear followed the jury’s recommendation of eight years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and a $500 fine. Under Arkansas law, individuals with prior violent felony convictions who are convicted of felon in possession of a firearm are not eligible for parole. Puryear ordered Foster to be taken into custody by the Drew County sheriff to start serving his sentence.
Foster has additional charges pending in Pulaski County, in case number CR-2026-257, for simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with the purpose to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Foster is scheduled to appear in court May 26, 2026.
Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain stated, “This conviction reflects continued efforts by law enforcement and prosecutors to hold violent offenders accountable and to remove illegally possessed firearms from the community.”