Saturday, January 31, 2009

Search continues for man convicted of attempted arson...

Originally published by The Pine Bluff Commercial


Authorities in Bradley County are searching for Warren resident Larry Lee Atkins, 54, who failed to appear at a January sentencing before Circuit Judge Don Glover.

According to the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, Atkins was convicted December 12 of attempted arson and aggravated assault. Sentencing was postponed when the jury failed to reach an agreement concerning sentencing until January 5, at which time information such as Atkins’ criminal and financial records would have been provided to the jury for consideration in sentencing.

Atkins faces up to six years in prison for the aggravated assault conviction and five-20 years for attempted arson, and/or up to a $10,000 for each charge.

Atkins was arrested April 12, 2008, for attempting to destroy his home in order to collect an insurance claim. The Warren Fire Department was dispatched to his house after his wife came to the fire station and reported that she had returned home and discovered open gas lines and lit candles placed inside the home.

Anyone with information on Atkins’ whereabouts is asked to call the Bradley County Sheriff's Department.

Habitual offender sentenced to 60 years

Originally published by The Pine Bluff Commercial

A Drew County jury this week sentenced a habitual offender with 17 prior felony convictions to 60 years in prison for possession of crack cocaine with intent to deliver. By law, Michael Anthony Green, 41, will be required to serve 1/4th of his sentence.

Green had rotated through the prison system since 1987, and was arrested after a parole officer verified his presence at Pine Hill Liquor Store, a violation of his parole requirements. Police stopped Green’s vehicle shortly after he left the store and located when they took him into custody a small breath mint dispenser containing crack cocaine in his pocket. A plastic bag was also found containing a larger quantity of the drug.

Green maintained in court that he had paid $120 for the drug and it was for personal use. However, agents deemed as experts in the street value of the narcotic testified the crack cocaine in Green’s possession valued at approximately $1,000.