A Pine Bluff man who was arrested on a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge in the early morning hours Sunday is facing two felony allegations after police found Xanax and Ecstasy in his possession.
Toran Conaway, 26, was taken into custody by off-duty police officers who were working security on the parking lot of P.J.’s Nightclub on North University Drive in Pine Bluff.
The off-duty officers were clearing the parking lot at about 4:35am when Conaway walked out of the club cursing loudly and drawing the attention of others to him, according to a probable cause affidavit from Pine Bluff Detective Jeremy Crosby. When Conaway was told that police could hear him, he allegedly said, “I don’t give a (expletive) because them police be out there. It’s (expletive) freedom of speech.”
Crosby reported that he told Conaway that it was illegal to use the language he was using and Conaway reportedly said, “I can say what the (expletive) I want to say.”
As he began walking away, Conaway continued to curse and was told that he had been given his last opportunity. Police then arrested him for disorderly conduct.
A warrants check showed that there was an active warrant for his arrest.
When Conaway was searched for officer safety, police found 24 white oval pills that were determined to be Xanax and three multi-colored pills that were determined to be Ecstasy.
When he was asked what the pills were for, Conaway reportedly said he didn’t know, adding that had picked them up off the floor in the nightclub.
On Tuesday, Jefferson County Judge Kim Bridgforth set a $15,000 bond for Conaway after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge him with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
The Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Conaway.
