A parolee residing in Salesville, 53 year old STEVEN LEE McCOOL, was arrested early this morning, September 4th, on felony drug charges after a deputy conducted a traffic stop.
At approximately 3:07 AM, Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Zappa was on patrol on Baxter CR 63 in the Norfork area. He observed a Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling on the roadway. The license plate was not visible on the vehicle, and so he initiated a traffic stop.
The driver of the vehicle was found to be STEVEN LEE McCOOL, who is on parole from the Arkansas Division of Corrections and who had a warrantless search waiver on file. Deputy Zappa conducted a search of the vehicle. He found a digital scale underneath the seat, and McCOOL stated there were dirty syringes in the vehicle as well. Deputy Zappa noticed McCOOL throw something into the wood line, which Deputy Zappa then retrieved. This was a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine and contained residue of that drug. The search of the vehicle continued. Both dirty, used syringes and one syringe loaded with methamphetamine were found. During the search of McCOOL’S person, the deputy found a black zip bag in McCOOL’S front waistband. Inside this bag was approximately 16 grams of methamphetamine, suboxone, marijuana, and $122 in cash. All of these items were seized and taken into evidence.
STEVEN LEE McCOOL was arrested and transported to the Baxter County Detention Center where he has been incarcerated on charges of:
Possession of Methamphetamine with Purpose of Delivery – Felony
Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance with Purpose of Delivery – Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2 counts) – Felonies
Tampering with Physical Evidence – Felony
Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance with Purpose of Delivery (Marijuana) – Misdemeanor
Improper Display of License Plate – Misdemeanor
Habitual Offender – Penalty Enhancement
Parole Violation – Felony
A review of McCOOL’S prior arrests and convictions revealed a lengthy history of approximately nine felony convictions in the State of Arkansas. According to court records, he has been convicted and sentenced to a total of 552 months of prison time in those various cases, with 432 of those months being suspended. In June, 2024, McCOOL was given another 60 months of probation to run concurrently while he was already out on parole for a 120 month sentence he received in March, 2016. This qualifies McCOOL as a habitual offender.
STEVEN LEE McCOOL is being held on $25,000 bond on the new charges and without bond on the parole violation. He will appear before the Circuit Court to answer on September 9th.
