A Drew County jury on March 11 found a 42-year-old man guilty of being a violent felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced him to 15 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
Jacob Spurlin was convicted following a trial in Drew County Circuit Court. After hearing evidence during a sentencing phase, jurors imposed the 15-year prison sentence.
According to testimony presented during the trial, the incident leading to the charge occurred April 29, 2025, during a traffic stop at the Exxon station on U.S. Highway 425 in Monticello.
Drug Task Force agents James Slaughter, Ben Michel and Tyler Perry were assisting Monticello Police Officer Tiarra Austin during the stop when Slaughter noticed Spurlin nearby. Investigators said Spurlin appeared to be watching the traffic stop closely while arguing with a female passenger in his vehicle.
Authorities said the pair remained at the gas pumps until Officer Austin left the area. Afterward, the vehicle departed, and a license plate check revealed the registration was expired.
Officer Jayden Richardson initiated a traffic stop. According to investigators, Spurlin immediately exited the vehicle and aggressively approached the officer. Sgt. Ricky Fleming then placed him in handcuffs.
Officers reported smelling marijuana coming from the vehicle, prompting a search by Slaughter. During the search, officers recovered two firearms — a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol and a Ruger .380 pistol.
Investigators testified that Slaughter knew Spurlin to be a convicted felon and advised him of his Miranda rights. Authorities said Spurlin initially denied touching the weapons but later admitted he had grabbed the .40 caliber pistol to move it out of the way.
Prosecutors also introduced evidence that Spurlin previously pleaded guilty in California to felony evading an officer with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. Under Arkansas law, that offense qualifies as a violent felony because it places others at risk of physical harm.
During closing arguments, Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain told jurors that Spurlin’s actions when exiting the vehicle appeared to be an attempt to distract officers while a passenger concealed the firearms. Spain also pointed to Spurlin’s admission that he handled one of the weapons as evidence he exercised control over it.
Following the guilty verdict, Spurlin was placed in a courthouse holding cell during a break in the proceedings. Officials said he kicked the walls, attempted to force the door open, spat at a security camera and urinated and defecated inside the cell. Authorities said he was later transported back to the jail after continuing to act out.
During sentencing, jurors heard additional testimony about Spurlin’s criminal history. That included prior convictions in California for two counts of theft by receiving and a federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Jurors also heard about misdemeanor convictions for resisting arrest, threatening to commit a crime and concealing a dirk or knife, as well as his behavior during his arrest and disruption at the courthouse.
After deliberation, the jury sentenced Spurlin to 15 years in prison.
Spain thanked jurors for their service and attention to the evidence during the trial and said the verdict sends a clear message to violent felons in Drew County not to possess firearms.
