A Drew County jury found a Monticello woman not guilty in a drug paraphernalia case following a trial held on June 24, 2025, at the Drew County Courthouse.
The case stemmed from a December 10, 2024, traffic stop conducted by Detective Ben Hines of the Monticello Police Department. Hines initiated the stop after observing what appeared to be a physical altercation between the driver and passenger inside a vehicle. As he approached the car, Hines testified that he saw the defendant, identified as Ms. Shook, place her hand near the side of her seat.
During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a glass pipe—commonly used to ingest methamphetamine—stuffed in the seat where Shook had been seen reaching. She was taken into custody, booked at the jail, and later released.
Prosecutors charged Shook as a habitual offender, citing three previous felony convictions for possession of drug paraphernalia from separate incidents on July 28, October 27, and December 31 of 2020. All three offenses involved items used to ingest methamphetamine. Shook had completed probation on those charges in January 2024.
During the trial, jurors heard testimony from Detective Hines, other responding officers, and a forensic expert from the Arkansas State Crime Lab who confirmed methamphetamine residue was present on the pipe.
After deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, acquitting Shook of the charge.
