A Desha County jury on March 13 found a McGehee man guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm following a traffic stop conducted by the Arkansas State Police in early 2025.
John Thompson was convicted of the Class D felony after a jury trial in Desha County Circuit Court. During the sentencing phase, jurors recommended that Thompson receive three years of supervised probation and pay a $500 fine. Circuit Judge Quincey Ross followed the jury’s recommendation.
The charge stems from a Jan. 7, 2025 traffic stop conducted by Arkansas State Trooper Nathan Jynes at approximately 7:20 p.m. on Cherry Street in McGehee.
According to testimony presented during the trial, Jynes initiated the stop after observing a gold Honda Accord traveling with a non-functioning taillight and failing to signal before turning onto Choctaw Road. Thompson was driving the vehicle, which also had a passenger, Adrian Horton.
During the stop, Jynes testified that Thompson’s right hand was shaking excessively. Troopers also learned Thompson did not have a valid Arkansas driver’s license.
When asked if anything illegal was inside the vehicle, Thompson admitted there was a firearm in the car. Because he did not possess a valid license, the vehicle was set to be towed, prompting Jynes to conduct an administrative inventory of the vehicle.
During that search, troopers located a black Springfield XD-40 handgun under the front passenger seat.
Authorities said Thompson waived his Miranda rights and told the trooper he was transporting the firearm back to an acquaintance. He was not booked at the time of the incident because the Desha County Jail was unable to accept prisoners.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Thompson had a prior felony conviction for first-degree property damage in Missouri. Court records show he was placed on five years’ probation for that offense on Feb. 10, 2017.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney William Bridewell of the Tenth Judicial District represented the state during the trial. Thompson was represented by attorney David Cason.
After deliberating, jurors returned a guilty verdict. During the sentencing phase, the jury heard additional testimony regarding Thompson’s criminal history but noted that his prior convictions were non-violent.
Bridewell thanked the jury for its service and attention during the trial, saying the verdict and sentence were appropriate given Thompson’s non-violent criminal history and the circumstances of the offense.
