The state/region in brief

Backpack sparks Tech bomb scare

RUSSELLVILLE - An abandoned backpack prompted a scare Monday on the Arkansas Tech University campus, but authorities said there was no threat.

Arkansas Tech said someone dropped off a bag at the Baswell Techionery student union about 5 p.m. Monday.

The university notified students, and faculty and staff members of the package, then established a perimeter around the building to keep the public out.

The university said the backpack’s owner arrived at the student union about half an hour later to claim the bag. The person described the bag’s contents, and the university called off a Conway bomb squad that was en route.

  • THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Trial set for man in toddler’s death

NEWPORT - A judge has scheduled a June trial for a man charged in the fatal shooting of a 1-year-old girl in Newport.

On Monday, Circuit Judge Harold Ervin scheduled a June 10 trial date for 35-yearold Robert Friar of Newport. Friar is charged with capital murder in the death of 1-year-old Tacarri Briggs and attempted capital murder in the shooting of the girl’s mother, Delana Aguire.

Newport police said someone fired five shots into a house Feb. 27. When police arrived, Tacarri was found in bed with a single gunshot wound. Aguire was found in a bedroom with several gunshot wounds in her torso.

Friar has pleaded innocent to the charges.

The Jonesboro Sun reported that a pretrial hearing was set for May 6 in Newport.

  • THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

2 men get prison in 2011 drug case

TEXARKANA - Two Texarkana men were sentenced Monday on charges tied to a federal drug-trafficking investigation, a news release from the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas said.

U.S. District Judge Susan Hickey in Texarkana sentenced Michael Walker, 28, to 13 years and four months in prison and three years of supervised release for distributing crack cocaine, the release said. Walker had pleaded guilty on Sept. 18.

Hickey sentenced Terry D. Martin, 28, to six years and five months in prison and four years of supervised release for possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute it, the release said.

Martin had pleaded guilty on Nov. 15.

The two were originally charged Sept. 14, 2011, in a190-count indictment involving 66 defendants tied to Operation Stateline Sweep.

The case was investigated by the Bi-State Narcotics Task Force, involving authorities from the police departments in Texarkana, Ark., and Texarkana, Texas, as well as the Miller County sheriff’s office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Court records said authorities “conducted a controlled purchase of crack cocaine” from Walker in Texarkana on Feb. 17, 2011, the release said.

On July 5, 2011, task force investigators observed Martin concealing drugs in his clothes, the release said.

When officers attempted to confront him, he attempted to flee but was apprehended and placed in custody. During a search, investigators found plastic bags of drugs, and Martin later confessed to possessing and distributing crack cocaine, the release said.

  • ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Deputies hunt car linked to slaying

CHOCTAW, Okla. - Authorities investigating the apparent shooting death of a man in Choctaw are now looking for a car that they believe was involved in the slaying.

The Oklahoma County sheriff’s office said Choctaw police asked the department to help in the investigation of the death of 46-year-old James Vaughn after Vaughn’s body was found with several gunshot wounds about 8 a.m. Monday in a yard on the southeast side of the Oklahoma City suburb.

Authorities said they have no suspects or a motive in the shooting, but they have identified a car that may be connected to the shooting.

The car is a 1994 champagne-colored Buick Bonneville with damage to the passenger side headlight, and it has Oklahoma license plate with the number 735-DZZ.

  • THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Teen mother held in death of baby

DEL CITY, Okla. - A 14-year-old girl has been arrested in the death of her infant son.

Del City police Capt.

Jody Suit said the boy was 7 months old when he died Sunday morning. The child’s 14-year-old mother was arrested on a homicide complaint and taken to the Oklahoma County jail.

Suit told reporters that the boy’s death is believed to be because of child abuse.

Officials said the infant had traumatic injuries that led doctors and investigators to believe the death was a homicide from abuse.

Suit said the boy’s grandmother had custody of the infant but that she was at work at the time. He said the father of the boy is 15 years old and is not believed to have been involved in the infant’s death.

  • THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 8 on 04/24/2013

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