Jerry Dill, 51, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant for arraignment on a five-count federal indictment with Public Defender Tiffany Fields. With Fields’ help, Dill entered not guilty pleas to all counts and requested that his case be set for a detention hearing to determine if he will stay in jail or be freed while his case proceeds. Bryant will hear arguments Thursday morning from Assistant U.S. Attorney Brice White and Fields concerning the detention issue.
The first count of Dill’s indictment alleges conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Counts two through five allege Dill made sales of meth Sept. 25, 2015, Sept. 9, 2015, Sept. 11, 2015, Sept. 22, 2015 and Sept. 25, 2015.
Bryant scheduled Dill for a jury trial July 20 before U.S. District Judge Susan Hickey in the Texarkana Division of the Western District of Arkansas. Bryant scheduled David Haskell for a July 9 trial before U.S. District Judge Harry Barnes.
Brian Tremayne Porter, 26, also known as “Demitrius” and “Joshua Carson,” appeared before Bryant for a first appearance on a criminal complaint with Federal Public Defender Tiffany Fields. Porter is accused of aiding and abetting the sale of two ounces of methamphetamine Feb. 20, according to the complaint. The complaint alleges Porter made the exchange of drugs for cash on behalf of his cousin, Javon Markeith Carson, 32. Porter’s case is set for a detention hearing May 23 before Bryant.
Carson appeared before Bryant with Texarkana lawyer John Pickett on a criminal complaint accusing him of distributing methamphetamine. Bryant set Carson’s case for a detention hearing Thursday morning.
Neither Porter nor Carson have been formally indicted by a grand jury so trial dates in their cases have not been scheduled.
