Drug raid results in arrests of five suspects
The execution of a narcotics search warrant by Hot Springs police Monday at a local residence resulted in the arrest of five suspects on multiple felony charges after large amounts of cocaine and marijuana and a gun were allegedly found.
Around noon Monday, officers with the HSPD’s Special Investigation Unit used SWAT team members assisted by agents with the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force to execute the warrant at 516 Higdon Ferry Road, Apt. A-2.
The residence was the listed address of Thomas Edward McGowan Jr., 51, Treyvaughn Marquise McGowan, 29, and Ashanti N. Hickman, 21, who were all arrested along with Sarah
Phinae Hunter, 22, who lists a Palmetto Street address, and Brandon Marcella Matlock, 23, who lists a Wise Street address.
All five were charged with simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and engaging in a continuing criminal gang, organization, or enterprise, each punishable by up to life in prison, possession of cocaine with purpose to deliver, punishable by up to 30 years, unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate a crime and possession of drug paraphernalia, each punishable by up to 20 years, and possession of marijuana with purpose to deliver, punishable by up to 10 years.
Thomas McGowan and Matlock, who are both felons, were each also charged with possession of a firearm by certain persons, punishable by up to six years in prison. Treyvaughn McGowan, Hickman and Hunter had no prior felony history.
According to court records, Thomas McGowan was convicted in 2017 of possession of meth and sentenced
to three years in prison; in 2022 of felony fleeing and possession of marijuana with purpose to deliver and sentenced to six years in prison, all suspended; and has felony drug charges pending from arrests last year. Matlock was convicted on Dec. 21, 2022, of two counts of committing a terroristic act and sentenced to five years’ supervised probation.
According to the probable cause affidavit, all five of the suspects were located inside the apartment after the officers made entry and then the apartment was searched.
In the kitchen, officers allegedly found eight bags of marijuana, a total of 254.5 grams, or almost 9 ounces, a bag of cocaine, 2.5 grams, five bags of THC edible gummies, another bag of marijuana, 3.1 grams, another baggie of cocaine, 0.6 grams; digital scales, sandwich bags, a vacuum sealer machine and a 9-mm handgun loaded with 16 rounds.
In the dining room, they allegedly found loose marijuana, and digital scales with marijuana residue. In the master bedroom, they found Thomas McGowan’s medical marijuana card, more digital scales with cocaine residue, multiple plastic baggies “with cut corners,” $901 in cash, another bag of marijuana, 14.9 grams, another bag of cocaine, 36.6 grams, a bag with crack cocaine, 147.4 grams, or over 5 ounces, multiple items with cocaine residue including gloves, cups and razor blades, and 10 5.56-caliber rounds of ammunition.
In a children’s bedroom, they allegedly found $1,000 in cash and another set of digital scales. They also found and confiscated multiple cellphones throughout the house and found Hickman’s National Park College ID.
In searching Treyvaughn McGowan, they reportedly found two cellphones and $420 in cash. On Matlock’s person they reportedly found a cellphone and another person’s ID. On Thomas McGowan’s person, they allegedly found $2,040 in cash.
In addition to the cellphones and money, DTF agents also seized a blue 2020 Chrysler 300 and a black 2017 Mercedes-Benz. The affidavit notes the apartment was not owned by any of the suspects resulting in the additional unauthorized use charge.
All five suspects were initially held on zero bond and remained in custody Thursday with Thomas McGowan held on a $300,000 bond, Matlock on a $250,000 bond, Treyvaughn McGowan on a $150,000 bond and Hunter and Hickman each held on a $100,000 bond. All five are set to appear June 21 in Garland County District Court.