An eighteen year old Melbourne man was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of delivering a controlled substance-marijuana, both class “c” felonies. Donta W. Linzie, age 18 is accused of selling marijuana during a controlled buy executed by undercover agents. One of the drug transactions took place at the Sonic Drive Inn in Melbourne while the other took place on a different date at the intersection of State of Highway 9 and County Road 9, commonly known as Rose Trail. Sheriff Lawrence said that Linzie posted bond the day of his arrest in the amount of $5,000, was released and given a court date in Izard County Circuit Court.

Entry was attempted at two Melbourne businesses and was gained at another business late Thursday night, May 26.. The front door of Marks’s Pharmacy was shattered as was the front door of Dennis Lube. The front door of Skeeter’s was cracked. Sheriff Tate Lawrence said that it appears nothing was taken from any of the three businesses. A suspect has been developed, according to Sheriff Lawrence, and an arrest is anticipated pending information from the state crime laboratory. .

While investigating the attempted break in at Mark’s Pharmacy, a vehicle approached the vicinity and the driver was stopped for questioning. While interviewing the driver, later identified as Eddie Valdez, he returned to his vehicle and left the scene at a high rate of speed and ran over the foot of a deputy while officers were ordering him to stop. The driver was finally stopped on highway 69 east of Melbourne. Valdez , age 29 of Batesville was charged with fleeing, driving on a suspended license, assault third degree and resisting arrest. Valdez posted bond the following day and was released from the Izard County Detention Facility.

A Franklin resident, Justin L. McQuary, age 48 was arrested Friday by Izard County deputies on a Craighead County warrant charging McQuary with rape. Mcquary was transferred to to Jonesboro by Craighead County authortities.

Jolynn Mandel, age 26 of Calico Rock was arrested May 31 on a Fulton County warant. Mandel posted bond the day of her arrest and given a court date in Fulton County.

Jason Troy Eddy, age 35 of Melbourne turned himself into Izard County authorities in response to a hot check warrant. Eddy posted bond in the amount of $350 , was released and given a court date.

Ashley Nicole Bodeker, age 27 of Oxford was arrested by Izard County deputies on a Sharp County warrant. Bodeker posted bond in the amount of $615 the day after her arrest, given a Sharp County court date, and released.

James Allen West, age 20 of Dardanelle was arrested Saturday on a probation/ parole violation. West remains in the Izard County Detention Facility.

Billy Joe Powell, age 30 of Calico Rock was arrested on a failure to pay fines warrant. Powell remains in the Izard County Detention Facility in lieu of $1,050 cash bond.


NOTE: Picture of Linzie provided


News Release
For Immediate Release
June 6, 2011
POC: Sheriff Tate Lawrence
870-368-4203

Additional Information