A Drew County jury on March 12 found a Wilmar woman guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm following an incident last year in which authorities said she threatened another woman while displaying a gun.
Phyllis Faye Farmer was convicted in Drew County Circuit Court in connection with an April 7, 2025 incident in Wilmar. After hearing additional evidence during the sentencing phase, jurors recommended a five-year sentence in the Arkansas Department of Correction. Circuit Judge Robert Gibson III followed that recommendation.
According to testimony presented during the trial, Drew County deputies responded to a report that Farmer had threatened another woman during a confrontation at a residence in Wilmar.
Witnesses testified that Farmer entered the home yelling and making threats before later producing a handgun while outside the residence.
Deputies later located Farmer and took her into custody. During the investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at her residence and recovered a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition.
Because Farmer is a convicted felon, Arkansas law prohibits her from possessing firearms. Jurors also heard statements made by Farmer about having a gun.
Judge Gibson instructed jurors that Farmer had stipulated to having previously been convicted of a violent felony.
After deliberations, the jury found Farmer guilty of felon in possession of a firearm, a Class B felony.
Before sentencing, jurors heard additional evidence regarding Farmer’s criminal history. Prosecutors said Farmer was charged as a habitual offender, meaning she had at least two prior felony convictions.
Jurors were told she was previously convicted of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon on April 16, 2002, in LaPorte County, Indiana, and knowingly issuing a worthless check on June 12, 2019, in Drew County.
Under Arkansas law, the Class B felony version of felon in possession of a firearm requires the sentence to be served at 100 percent with no eligibility for parole.
Kelley E. Fortenberry of the Tenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office represented the state during the trial, while Farmer was represented by attorney Rickey Hicks.
Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain thanked the jury for its service and attention to the case and also commended the Drew County Sheriff’s Office for its response and investigation.
Spain said the verdict reflects the community’s commitment to protecting victims from violent threats and ensuring that convicted felons who possess firearms are held accountable under Arkansas law.
