A Little Rock man remains in custody following a multi-agency drug raid Friday that revealed he was allegedly living in Batesville in violation of sex offender registration requirements.
Christopher J. Medley, 48, was arrested May 8 after agents with the 16th District Drug Task Force, the Batesville Police Department, and the Arkansas State Police executed a search warrant at an apartment on Lawson Drive.
According to court documents, Medley was wanted for parole absconding at the time of his arrest. Investigators say he had been residing at the Batesville apartment despite his registry status listing him as a homeless person in Little Rock.
During the search, officers reported finding digital scales in a bathroom that tested positive for methamphetamine residue. Investigators also discovered a bag of syringes concealed inside a cereal box and a notebook containing “pay/owe” records consistent with drug sales.
Medley faces two felony counts: failure to register as a sex offender, a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and possession of drug paraphernalia for the purpose of using methamphetamine, a Class D felony.
Because Medley has been convicted of four or more prior felonies, prosecutors are seeking a habitual offender enhancement, which could significantly increase his prison sentence if he is convicted.
Medley was transported to the Independence County Jail, where he is being held on $50,000 bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for May 26.
Christopher J. Medley (Image via the Independence County Sheriff’s Office)
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