2 former LR officers facing drug charges released

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Two former Little Rock police officers who were arrested on federal drug charges were released to their families Monday pending upcoming court proceedings.

A judge said Randall Tremayn Robinson and Mark Anthony Jones, who had been in custody since their arrests late last month, could be released to their wives under certain conditions. Jones will have to remain on home detention and wear an electronic-monitoring device, and both men will be subject to drug testing. Neither can have firearms in their homes.

Robinson and Jones, who are half-brothers, are accused of driving their marked police vehicles to protect controlled amounts of marijuana.

They were arrested May 24 on charges of conspiring to aid and abet and attempting to aid and abet the possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. A judge said Monday there wasn't probable cause for a firearms charge that was listed in the original complaint.

The former law enforcement officers wore shackles in the courtroom while their lawyers argued that they ought to be released. Prosecutors disagreed, saying that the two pose a danger to the community.

Jones' lawyer, Ron Davis, said his client is innocent and criticized the lack of evidence that Jones was carrying a weapon while allegedly protecting controlled marijuana shipments.

"It takes more than assumptions and speculations," Davis said.

Davis also pointed out that Jones has ties to the community, including a wife and kids. Plus, he added, Jones will no longer be working as a police officer.

Robinson resigned from the force, and a police spokesman said Jones' employment with the department has been terminated.

Robinson's attorney, Rick Holiman, questioned the evidence that prosecutors laid out about Robinson. After a federal agent testified about a meeting between the two half-brothers after they allegedly protected controlled marijuana shipments, Holiman said Robinson and Jones met often.

"They're brothers and they work for the Police Department," Holiman said.

Some of the people in the packed courtroom sighed as the judge said the men would be released. Robinson's wife, Tahesha, raised her hand toward the ceiling and sobbed while another woman held her.

A few moments later, she stood by her husband and promised to tell the court if he violated the conditions of his release. Jones' wife, Kimberly, did the same, agreeing to act as a third-party custodian.

The judge looked at Jones and Robinson and told them he wouldn't take any potential violations lightly.

"This is a serious offense," U.S. Magistrate Judge Jerome Kearney said.

Moments later, some of the women in the courtroom clapped as Jones and Robinson walked out of the courthouse, unshackled.

Jones hugged some of his relatives and then told reporters he wasn't ready to talk about the allegations against him.

"We're ready for this to pass," he said.

Robinson declined to talk to reporters too. He hugged his way through the crowd until he reached his wife. He put his arm around her and they walked down the street in the rain.

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