Arkansas man sentenced to 15 years in prison for illegal drug trafficking

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – An Arkansas man has now been sentenced to 15 years in a federal prison for his involvement in trafficking controlled substances, including fentanyl, and for criminal possession of a firearm.

In September 2019, the DEA reportedly received information about a man who allegedly distributed prescription drugs from his home.

An investigation into the man, later identified as 76-year-old Roy Edsel Heifner Jr. of College Station, revealed that he was a convicted felon who had been arrested many times.

After serving a search warrant for his home, authorities found 300 fentanyl pills and 100 pills containing a mixture of oxycodone and hydrocodone. They also found two firearms and over $300,000 in cash believed to be drug proceeds.

Heifner was first charged with illegal possession of a firearm in February 2020, but was later released on bail. An investigation revealed that he continued to sell pills, and in July 2021, police officers conducted a controlled purchase of pills from him at his home.

The pills purchased turned out to be fentanyl, and Heifner was subsequently taken into custody. He remained incarcerated until the day of his trial.

In February 2023, a supplemental indictment was filed, amending and superseding the original indictment, charging Heifner with six counts related to the distribution of Schedule II substances, including both fentanyl and oxycodone.

He was also charged with two counts of illegal possession of weapons.

During his trial, Heifner was found guilty of conspiracy to possess and distribute fentanyl and oxycodone with the intent to distribute, two counts of possession of fentanyl and oxycodone with the intent to distribute and criminal possession of a firearm.

Heifner was sentenced to 15 years in prison and three years probation.