A Drew County jury convicted and sentenced Korey Lee Davis, 46, of Monticello, to life imprisonment plus 245 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction following a two-day jury trial held October 20–21, 2026. The State was represented at trial by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelley E. Fortenberry, while Davis was represented by Will James and Dalton Orsborn of the James Law Firm in Little Rock.
The case stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Tenth Judicial District Drug Task Force. On February 25, 2025, officers with the Tenth Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Drew County Sheriff’s Office, the Monticello Police Department, the Ashley County Sheriff’s Department, and the Arkansas Department of Community Correction executed a search warrant at a residence on East Watts Street in Monticello, Arkansas.
During the execution of the search warrant, Davis was located inside the residence along with suspected illegal narcotics, drug-distribution paraphernalia, and multiple firearms. The seized substances were submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for testing. Laboratory results confirmed the presence of over 250 grams of methamphetamine, over 200 grams of a cutting agent, over 20 grams of cocaine, over 2 grams of amphetamine, and over 4 ounces of marijuana.
Davis was arrested and charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine with the Purpose to Deliver, Possession of Amphetamine with the Purpose to Deliver, Possession of Marijuana with the Purpose to Deliver, Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
During the pendency of the case, Davis was released from jail after posting a $500,000 bond on July 18, 2025. Just 12 days after bonding out, Davis fled from police and failed to appear for court. On January 14, 2026, the United States Marshals Service located Davis in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was taken back into custody and held pending trial.
Following the two-day trial, the jury found Davis guilty of all six offenses.
During the sentencing phase of the trial, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelley E. Fortenberry introduced certified copies of Davis’s 16 prior felony convictions, dating from 1995 through 2019.
Davis received sentences of 75 years for Trafficking Methamphetamine, 60 years for Possession of Cocaine with the Purpose to Deliver, 40 years for Possession of Amphetamine with the Purpose to Deliver, 30 years for Possession of Marijuana with the Purpose to Deliver, and 40 years for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. For Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, Davis was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
The jury recommended that the sentences run consecutively. The Honorable Judge Robert B. Gibson, III, accepted the jury’s recommendation and sentenced Davis to life in prison and a consecutive 245 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelley E. Fortenberry wants to thank the law enforcement officers and agencies involved for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to bringing this case to justice. She also expresses her sincere appreciation to the jurors for their service and steadfast commitment to keeping Drew County safe.
Article submitted by the 10th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney.
