Left: Cottongin; Right: Richmond
Benton Police Department officers responded to an E. Maple address just before 3:30 a.m. Sunday in reference to a male subject driving a U-Haul truck attempting to steal a dirt bike from the bed of a truck. Officers located the suspect’s vehicle on N. Market with a partially covered license plate.
Upon contact with the driver, 33-year-old Jody Cottongin, and passenger, 41-year-old Brandon Richmond, officers detained them for felony drug charges. A search of the U-Haul led to the discovery of multiple tools and other items. Further investigation revealed the majority of items to be stolen by the two suspects. The items were all returned to their owners.
Cottongin was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver – Class A Felony; two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver – Class D Felony; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Class D Felony; Breaking or Entering – Class D Felony; and Theft of Property – Class C Felony.
Richmond was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – Class C Felony; Possession of a Controlled Substance – Class A Misdemeanor; Furnishing, Possessing or Using Prohibited Articles – Class B Felony; Forgery 1st Degree – Class B Felony; Breaking or Entering – Class D Felony; and Theft of Property – Class C Felony.
This investigation is still ongoing, and additional charges are expected. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-776-5947. You can also anonymously text “BENTONPD plus your message” to 847411 or leave a tip via the official BNPD app available on iTunes and Google Play.