A Saline County jury found Christopher Evans, of Little Rock, guilty of possessing a methamphetamine pipe and a small baggie of psilocyn or magic mushrooms at a trial held on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Judge Brent Houston accepted the jury’s recommendation and sentenced Evans to 12 years in the Division of Correction.
On July 17, 2023, Sgt. Derek Jester with the Bryant Police Department, saw Evans’ car driving on Dell Drive. After Jester got behind Evans’ car, Jester performed a record check and discovered that the registered owner of the car, Evans, had a suspended driver license and a warrant from Little Rock. The car turned onto Reynolds Road and then into the back side of the Splash car wash. It was about 9 p.m. and the car wash was closed. Jester continued to watch the car until it returned to Reynolds Road. Jester stopped the car at the Kum & Go.
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Evans was the driver and only occupant of the car. He said he had just come from work at Whole Hog Cafe. He wore a Whole Hog Cafe shirt. After confirming the warrant from Little Rock, Jester and other officers searched the car. On the center console was a take out box of barbecue and macaroni and cheese. Inside the box, Jester found the methamphetamine pipe shoved into the macaroni. Another officer found the baggie of mushrooms in a back pack on the passenger seat. When questioned by Jester, Evans denied knowledge of the items, but admitted to past use of mushrooms.
At trial, Evans’ attorney, Benjamin Bowers, suggested that the pipe had been placed in the box by someone at Whole Hog Cafe. He presented no evidence for this suggestion.
During sentencing, deputy prosecuting attorneys Brian Clary and Shea Long presented evidence of Evans’ criminal history. Evans had prior convictions for breaking or entering, several counts of theft by receiving, and possession of controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He was on probation for residential burglary at the time of the offense. All of the sentences were from Pulaski County. He had been under court supervision there almost continuously since 2012.
According to the Saline County Prosecutor’s report, the defendant was on probation or parole at the time of the crime. He had a record of persistent involvement in similar criminal offenses. He had a repetition of behavior pattern which contributes to criminal conduct, e.g., return to drug or alcohol abuse. According to court records, Evans has felony convictions over several years, dating back to 2012, including burglary, theft, fleeing, and meth possession.
Evans’ father testified that his son had been doing well over the past two years. He admitted that his son was not completely candid with him about the July 17 arrest. His father also had no knowledge of Evans seeking treatment since the arrest.
Prosecuting Attorney Chris Walton thanked Sgt. Jester and the Bryant Police Department for their work. Walton remarked, “While drug possession is not a violent crime, it must be addressed. As evidenced by Evans’ history, his drug use may have led to the commission of property crimes. Going into someone’s home to steal and support a drug habit is a dangerous business for anyone. I’m proud to support Saline County’s programs addressing addiction, such as drug and Hope court, but not all offenders avail themselves of these opportunities and alternatives to incarceration. I thank the jury for their verdict. It sends a strong message that this sort of behavior will not be tolerated in Saline County.”
Read documents from this specific case at https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad/case/63CR-23-675.
Read all Arkansas court records for Christopher Lee Evans at https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad/search?context=participants&searchTerm=2215677