Springdale Man Sentenced To 65 Years In Prison

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

BENTONVILLE — A Springdale man was sentenced to 65 years in prison for selling cocaine to an undercover police officer.

Jamaal Dulane Simpson, 33, was found guilty Tuesday afternoon of delivery of methamphetamine or cocaine and drug paraphernalia, both Class B felonies. The charges are normally punishable with a prison sentence of five to 20 years, but Simpson was charged as a habitual offender and faced from five to 40 years on each count.

Simpson was arrested May 26, 2012.

Sgt. Adam Howard, who heads the narcotics unit for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, testified he purchased an “8-ball," or 3.5 grams of cocaine, from Simpson for $175.

Howard said the drug transaction was in the parking lot of a Rogers business.

Leon Jones, Simpson’s attorney, was up front with jurors in his opening statements when he told the panel about his client’s criminal past. Simpson had five felony convictions.

It took the jury of eight men and four women about 40 minutes to reach the guilty verdicts and about another 35 minutes to reach the sentencing recommendations.

The jury recommended Simpson be sentenced to 40 years in prison for the cocaine delivery and 25 years for possessing the paraphernalia. It was recommended the sentences be served consecutively.

Circuit Judge Robin Green followed the jury’s recommendation and sentenced Simpson to 65 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. Simpson will have to serve at least 14 years before he is eligible for parole.

Simpson, who didn’t testify at trial, sat with his head on the table as jurors exited the courtroom after they were dismissed by Green.

Simpson declined to make any statement when Green gave him an opportunity to address the court.