Marianna Man Arrested on Drug and Unlawful Burning Charges

On August 27, 2026, investigators with the St. Francis County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of an individual dragging wire from the Arkansas Highway Department property located on Highway 70 West to a residence across the road.  Upon arrival, investigators observed smoke coming from the north side of the highway and made contact with a male subject later identified as Cleophis Riggins, 43-year-old, of Marianna, Arkansas.  Riggins was observed actively burning wire in the front yard of what appeared to be a vacant residence. During the incident, the fire spread into the surrounding yard, prompting a response from the Forrest City Fire Department, which successfully extinguished the fire.  Riggins was taken into custody and charged with Unlawful Burning, a Class A Misdemeanor. Investigators also determined that Riggins had an outstanding Failure to Appear warrant issued by the St. Francis County District Court.  During a search incident to arrest, investigators located a glass pipe in Riggins' left front pants pocket. A prescription bottle containing several unknown pills was recovered from his right front pants pocket.  Riggins was transported to the St. Francis County Detention Center for booking. During the booking process, detention personnel discovered a plastic bag concealed among the pills inside the prescription bottle. The substance contained in the plastic bag was field tested and returned a positive result for methamphetamine.  As a result of the investigation, Riggins was additionally charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), a Class D Felony.  Riggins appeared before the court, and his bond was set at $10,000.00.

The unknown pills recovered during the arrest will be submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for analysis. Additional charges may be forthcoming pending the results of laboratory testing.