Chauncey Slay, a 46-year-old resident of North Little Rock, has been sentenced to 130 months in federal prison after being convicted for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and handed down by Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker.
Slay was indicted on October 9, 2024, by a federal grand jury on one count of possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty to the charge on June 30, 2025. In addition to his prison term, Slay will serve five years of supervised release following his incarceration. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case stems from an incident on March 6, 2024, when officers from the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office and Arkansas State Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle where Slay was a passenger. Officers observed that Slay appeared nervous and learned he was on parole with a search waiver in place. Both Slay and the driver were asked to exit the vehicle. When officers attempted to detain him, Slay argued with them. During the arrest process, an officer shook Slay’s pant leg and discovered a small bag containing a crystal-like substance.
After being placed in a patrol unit for transport to Lonoke County jail, Slay informed deputies that he had additional drugs hidden in his pants. Deputies stopped and recovered another baggie containing what appeared to be narcotics from his other pant leg. Laboratory analysis by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confirmed that the substances totaled more than 120 grams of methamphetamine with a purity level of 98%.
Slay’s criminal record includes multiple felony convictions related to drug offenses such as possession of cocaine, methamphetamine with intent to deliver, heroin with intent to deliver, fentanyl possession, delivery of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The DEA led the investigation into this case with support from the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Eldridge prosecuted the case.
“There is no parole in the federal system,” stated officials.
