Two sentenced to prison on drug trafficking charges

Two men were sentenced to prison Thursday on unrelated drug trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge announced.

Christian Archer, 30, of Hope, was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison on one count of the use and carrying of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, Eldridge said in a news release.

On Sept. 26, 2013, witnesses told investigators that Archer and two other “co-conspirators” threatened them and fired shots after a dispute over the price of methamphetamine, the release states.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for Archer’s residence in Hope, where they located a set of digital scales, two bags of methamphetamine and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, according to the release. He was arrested on March 6, 2014 and pleaded guilty on July 25.

Brandon Waller, 27, of West Village, Texas, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine, Eldridge said.

Arkansas State Police on Sept. 26, 2013 attempted to stop Waller after observing him driving partially in the ditch, according to the release.

A trooper activated his emergency lights and sirens, but Waller made a U-turn in the highway and fled west-bound at speeds up to 99 miles per hour, Eldridge said.

During the pursuit, officers saw a white plastic bag thrown out of the passenger window of the vehicle, which contained a large quantity of crack cocaine, the release states. Waller admitted to possessing the crack cocaine and told officers that he was taking the drug to Magnolia. Waller pleaded guilty on Dec. 1.

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