WMPD arrests two on federal indictments

Pair of felons back behind bars

news@theeveningtimes.com

West Memphis may just be a littler safer thanks in part to an observant police officer who noticed a local drug suspect out on bond and wanted by federal authorities on a federal indictment exiting his vehicle at a east service road convenience store Friday night.

Assistant Police Chief Robert Langston identified the suspect as Timothy Dewayne Bedford, 41, of 2500 N. Gathings Dr., West Memphis. Besides the federal indictment, Bedford has been charged with possession of ecstasy, hydrocodone, theft by receiving (firearm) and in possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Langston said Bedford was originally arrested on March 28, for drug possession, and was out on bond at the time he was arrested on the federal indictment Friday night shortly before 10 p.m.

Upon recognizing Bedford, officers knew immediately that he was wanted on federal charges, Langston said. According to the arrest report, patrolling officers noticed Bedford at the convenience store at 1903 East Service

“The West Memphis Police Department… works diligently to ensure that all federally prosecutable weapon cases are forwarded to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for federal review… We will continue our efforts to take drugs and illegal weapons off our streets by all means possible.” — WMPD Asst. Chief Robert Langston Road exiting his white 2013 Chrysler 300 and enter the business.

As Bedford exited the store officers immediately took him into custody without incident.

“An inventory search of Bedford’s vehicle detectives

name yellow and black handbag that contained two separate clear plastic bags containing 46 pills with different colors and shapes which is commonly identified as ecstasy.

“The pills were field tested and it was determined the pills were ecstasy.

In an unrelated federal charge, West Memphis detectives served a second federal indictment on a West Memphis man who was involved in the shooting at Walmart on Jan. 24, 2019, and who had been previously arrested for this incident on March 5, Langston said.

Langston identified the man as Jimmy Do, who was served the indictment for possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

Langston said Do has been in custody at the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office detention center since his arrest in March.

assigned to the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Task Force and specifically handles firearm-related offenses for the West Memphis Police Department, works diligently to ensure that all federally prosecutable weapon cases are forwarded to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for federal review,” Langston pointed out.

He also said the WMPD is dedicated to making sure the entire West Memphis community is as safe as possible for all the cities.

“We will continue our efforts to take drugs and illegal weapons off our streets by all means possible,” Langston said.