Arkansas – A Crawford County jury on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, sentenced Derrick Scudder, 36, of Miami, Florida, to life in prison plus 80 years on multiple felony charges, including Trafficking Fentanyl, Trafficking Methamphetamine, Fleeing from Law Enforcement, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Scudder, a habitual offender with over 10 prior felony convictions across multiple states, received a life sentence for Fentanyl Trafficking, 50 years for Methamphetamine Trafficking, and 30 years for Fleeing — all to be served consecutively.
His arrest stemmed from a multi-agency operation on September 23, 2024, involving the Arkansas State Police (ASP), the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Scudder fled a traffic stop initiated by OHP and was later captured by ASP after crashing his SUV on Highway 64 in Alma. Inside the vehicle, troopers recovered over 240 pounds of methamphetamine and more than two pounds of fentanyl concealed in suitcases.
“This case highlights the dedication and exceptional work by our Troopers and law enforcement partners,” said ASP Colonel Mike Hagar. “The risks presented by large-scale trafficking of fentanyl and methamphetamine are immense. Removing this threat from our streets has no doubt saved lives.”
Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin R. Holmes praised the collaborative effort and emphasized the danger of fentanyl. “Just two to three milligrams of fentanyl can kill a person.
The amount found in this vehicle totaled nearly one million milligrams,” Holmes said. “This conviction and the sentence that follows will save lives. It sends a clear message that those who bring poison into our neighborhoods will be held accountable.”