Formal felony charges were filed Wednesday in Benton County, Ark. Circuit Court against three jail inmates accused of breaking into a sheriff's office evidence locker and stealing guns and drugs.
They face five charges -- theft of property, breaking or entering, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver-marijuana. The theft of property, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver charges are Class C felonies, punishable by three to 10 years in prison. The breaking or entering and tampering with physical evidence charges are Class D felonies, punishable by up to six years in prison.
The charges stem from a September incident in which investigators and jail staff found the drugs and later, five pistols, in the Benton County Jail's auto repair shop. The items were discovered missing from the evidence locker in a different part of the jail compound.