BENTONVILLE -- A Lowell man waiting to go to prison was arrested with methamphetamine and a loaded handgun.
Levi Randall Partida, 18, was arrested last week in connection with simultaneous possession of drugs and firearm, possession of a firearm by certain persons, possession of a controlled substance, theft by receiving, criminal use of prohibited weapons, improper right turn, no proof of ownership and fictitious tags.
He later was released from the Benton County Jail after he posted a $25,000 bond. Prosecutors haven't filed charges against Partida in connection with his latest arrest.
The arrest came after a traffic stop by Rogers police. Methamphetamine and the gun were found during searches after the stop, according to court documents.
Police also learned Partida was on the backup state incarceration list for Washington County.
Partida was allowed to remain free instead of being held in jail until bed space opened at the Arkansas Department of Correction.
Partida told police he was charged with aggravated assault and he was going to prison for five years when space opened up for him, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Partida has been held in the Washington County jail since Thursday. He awaits transport to the Department of Correction.
Cathy Frye, a spokeswoman for the Department of Correction, said as of Friday there were 2,089 men and 132 women being held in county jails across the state who were waiting to be taken to prison.
"We have been consistently over 2,000," Frye said.
The Board of Correction met Thursday and discussed short- and long-term options, Frye said.
"We know those jails and the sheriffs need some relief now," Frye said.
Officials have looked at temporarily housing inmates in neighboring states, Frye said.
Randall Denzer, a major with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, said five months is the average time individuals are held there before they are sent to a state prison.
Keshia Guyll, spokeswoman for the Benton County Sheriff's Office, said the Benton County jail has 14 people who are free on a transport bond and awaiting being sent to a prison.
Benton County is holding 229 state prisoners. Their average stay there is eight months, Guyll said.
NW News on 01/12/2015