Phillips charged with drug, theft offenses

Clay County Democrat
By RYAN ROGERS

Marmaduke, AR

Former Marmaduke mayor Byron Phillips was arrested Tuesday, June 16, following an investigation of alleged crimes he reportedly committed while in office.

Phillips, 42, was arrested on class B felony charges of two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, three counts of class D felony breaking or entering, one count class B felony theft of property and two counts of class A misdemeanor theft of property.

According to information made available by the office of Greene County Deputy Prosecutor Kimberly Dale, Phillips unlawfully entered the Marmaduke Police Department evidence room on three occasions during January and February. The documents claim Phillips took between 10 and 20 hydrocodone tablets for personal use on two of the alleged break-ins. Further, the report stated Phillips stole between 500 and 1,000 hydrocodone tablets on the third occasion, which he then gave to an unnamed accomplice for the purpose of selling. It is believed Phillips made $3,000 from the sale of the painkillers.

The two charges of delivery of a controlled substance come from two separate operations in which Phillips reportedly sold 20 Xanex tablets to a confidential informant for $40 during a controlled delivery. Xanex is considered a schedule II controlled substance. The report stated the controlled deliveries took place April 9 and April 27.

Phillips was released on his own recognizance following the arrest. He was scheduled to appear Monday in Greene County District Court for a probable cause hearing. Attempts to contact Dale for information on the hearing were not immediately returned.

Phillips submitted his resignation to the Marmaduke City Council via letter in a special meeting held June 5.

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