by KENNETH FRY, Press Argus-Courier Editor Friday, January 30, 2009 2:44 PM CST
A West Virginia couple accused of stealing computers from Wal-Mart stores pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in Crawford County Circuit Court.
Rodney Green, 35, and Melody Blankenship, 31, both of Beckley, W.Va., are charged with two counts of breaking or entering, two counts of theft of property, theft by receiving, possession of Roxycodone and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The public defenders office entered the not guilty pleas for Green and Blankenship and waived formal arraignment before Judge Gary R. Cottrell.
Green and Blankenship, who are being held in the Crawford County Detention Center on $35,000 bonds, were arrested Jan. 13 at an Alma motel.
Prosecuting Attorney Marc McCune said the two are accused of going to Wal-Mart stores in Van Buren and Alma, placing computers in boxes for less expensive items and paying for them before leaving the stores with the computers.
McCune said Green and Blankenship also are suspected of stealing computers from Wal-Marts in Clarksville, Morrilton, Fort Smith and Texarkana.
A search of the room in which Green and Blankenship had been staying found numerous syringes, spoons with a white powder on them and a razorblade, the prosecutor said.
Cottrell also heard the following pleas on Wednesday:
Shawn Lenik, 29, of Van Buren pleaded not guilty to delivery of methamphetamine and habitual offender. Lenik was arrested after allegedly selling a half-gram of meth for $50 to a confidential informant for the Van Buren Police Department on April 18.
Albert Williams, 39, of Roland and Tiffanie White, 18, of Fort Smith pleaded not guilty to delivery of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Williams also is charged with habitual offender. Williams and White are accused of selling a quarter ounce of meth to a confidential informant for the drug task force on Jan. 13.
Justin Seaton, 35, of Stigler pleaded not guilty to theft by deception. Seaton is accused of using a USA Truck fuel card to purchase diesel which he resold.
Jacob Fortin, 17, of Van Buren pleaded not guilty to residential burglary and theft of property. Fortin is charged in the Jan. 14 theft of a firearm.
George Ortis, 33, of Mulberry pleaded not guilty to second offense possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Ortis was arrested Jan. 15 after he ran from an Arkansas State Police trooper's car after he had been stopped on Interstate 40 for a traffic violation.
Bryan Anderson, 18, of Van Buren pleaded not guilty to delivery of marijuana. Anderson allegedly sold a quarter ounce of marijuana for $30 to a confidential informant for Van Buren police on Dec. 22.
Barry Durham, 38, of Van Buren pleaded not guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia. Durham was arrested Jan. 16 during a parole visit.
Anthony Bailey, 22, of Van Buren pleaded not guilty to residential burglary and theft of property. Bailey is accused in a April 28, 2007, burglary of a Poplar Street residence.
Donald Cullon, 60, of Alma pleaded not guilty to delivery of Roxycodone, deliver of Oxycontin and habitual offender. Cullon allegedly sold tablets to a confidential informant for the Arkansas State Police on Nov. 26.
Katrina Blackard, 24, of Van Buren pleaded not guilty to two counts of delivery of Xanax. Blackard allegedly sold 25 tablet for $50 on Oct. 6 and 60 tablet for $180 on Nov. 5 to a confidential informant for the drug task force.
William Majewski, 39, of Jonesboro pleaded not guilty to non-support, alleging he owes more than $19,000 in child-support for a minor child.
Steve Christmas, 45, of Van Buren pleaded not guilty to delivery of Oxycodone, delivery of Lortab and delivery of Lorcet. Christmas allegedly sold 13 tablets of Oxycodone for $50 on Nov. 19, 90 tablet of Lortab for $350 on Nov. 25 and 25 tablet of Lorcet for $100 on Nov. 28 to confidential informants for the Van Buren Police Department and Arkansas State Police.
Susan Hull, 41, of Van Buren pleaded not guilty to two counts of delivery of Hydrocodone and one count of delivery of Methadone on Sept. 9 and 10 to a confidential informant for the Arkansas State Police.
Nancy Tew, 40, of Alma pleaded not guilty to four counts of delivery of Xanax. Tew is accused of selling Xanax to a confidential informant for the drug task force on Sept. 11 and Oct. 28.
Misty Holley, 27, and Mariah Larsen, 29, both of Fort Smith, pleaded not guilty to delivery of methamphetamine. Holley is charged as a habitual offender. Holley and Larsen allegedly sold one gram of meth for $100 to a confidential informant for the Arkansas State Police on Oct. 9.
Bo Johnson, 25, of Ruby pleaded not guilty to domestic battery in the third degree. He allegedly threw his wife against a wall on Jan. 4.
Jason Kain, 31, of Rudy resisted a petition to revoke a sentence he received on Sept. 16 for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia, alleging he has failed to perform community service.
Ocie Beckham, 40, of Mountainburg resisted a petition to revoke a sentence he received on March 9, 2007, for domestic battery in the third degree, alleging he has failed to make payments toward fines and court costs.
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of The Press Argus-Courier.
Florence wrote on Sep 19, 2009 9:52 AM:
" Shawn, My Polish background takes me to my Lenik roots. I was ever so sorry to see your nme,aLenik,listed on this list. Straighten up and get a real life. E-Mail me, I would love to talk to you-I'm 87 but still hold my own. Be proud. "
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Florence wrote on Sep 19, 2009 9:52 AM: