A Crossett man will serve three decades in prison following his conviction stemming from a high-speed chase and weapons arrest that occurred in October 2024.
According to the Arkansas State Police, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at approximately 6:45 a.m., Trooper David Menotti with Troop F attempted to stop a black Chevrolet Tahoe for speeding on U.S. Highway 425 South in Drew County. The driver, later identified as Demarcus L. Smith of Crossett, refused to pull over, initiating a pursuit during which he passed multiple vehicles at high speeds.
The chase ended when Smith pulled into the Interfor Plant property. He then exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Trooper Menotti secured the scene and located a red hoodie, two semi-automatic pistols, and a bag containing suspected marijuana. Smith was arrested on the plant grounds shortly afterward without incident.
During questioning, Smith admitted to operating the vehicle. The evidence recovered at the scene was submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, which confirmed the presence of 47 grams of marijuana. Both firearms were determined to be operable.
At trial, the jury reviewed dashcam footage of the chase, listened to Smith’s recorded interview, and examined lab-confirmed evidence. Smith was found guilty of fleeing in excess of the posted speed limit, possession of marijuana, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
During sentencing, prosecutors presented evidence of Smith’s criminal history. He was classified as a habitual offender due to prior felony convictions, including a 2014 conviction for second-degree sexual assault, a 2017 conviction for failure to register as a sex offender, and multiple 2020 convictions involving controlled substances and firearms.
The jury recommended a sentence of 15 years and a $10,000 fine for felony fleeing, 15 years and a $10,000 fine for possession of a firearm by a felon, and six months and a $2,500 fine for marijuana possession. The jury also recommended the sentences run consecutively.
On Monday, Judge Robert Gibson III followed the jury’s recommendation and sentenced Smith to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and ordered him to pay $22,500 in fines.
