Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – A man wanted for murder in Tennessee is facing a slew of new charges in Arkansas following a high-speed chase involving a tactical intervention by state troopers.

District Judge David Boling found probable cause July 31 to charge 30-year-old Lemarkius Authumo Ross with the following offenses:

• Fleeing-vehicle (Class D felony)
• Reckless driving (Class A misdemeanor)
• Driving on a suspended license (Unclassified)
• Possession of firearms by certain persons (Class B felony)
• Simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms (Class Y felony)
• Possession of Schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver (Class C felony)
• Possession of meth with the purpose to deliver (Class A felony)
• Obstructing governmental operations (Class C misdemeanor)

According to the probable cause affidavit, on July 31, Arkansas State Trooper Victor Garcia was informed that the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office was requesting assistance for a vehicle chase.

Dispatch advised that the suspect vehicle was traveling north on Interstate 555 and that the driver, Ross, had reportedly turned off his headlights. Garcia was able to join the crossover at the Poinsett-Craighead County line, while a Marion police unit was behind Ross’ vehicle.

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Garcia caught up to Ross near the 35-mile marker, near Bay, and executed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) successfully, causing Ross’ vehicle to roll over and come to a stop upside down in a field east of the interstate.

Officers began telling Ross to exit the vehicle, and he began yelling for help. Garcia saw smoke coming from the vehicle and noted a small fire had begun in the engine. Ross told officers that he was unable to exit because he was trapped by his seatbelt.

As a result, officers approached the vehicle. A Marion police officer provided cover, while Garcia used a fire extinguisher on the fire. Additional officers arrived and assisted with getting Ross out of the vehicle. He was placed into handcuffs and into Garcia’s unit, then he was taken to a hospital for treatment after complaining about pain in his left shoulder and left knee.

When initially asked to identify himself, Ross told officers he was Jonathan Matthew from Tennessee. However, dispatch was unable to find any records matching that identity. When asked a second time while heading to the hospital, Ross revealed his true identity. Based on that info, dispatch was able to find that Ross had an active nationwide extraditable warrant for murder out of Nashville, TN.

During a search of Ross’ vehicle, officers found multiple items inside a black duffle bag, including a purple Taurus handgun, multiple Ziploc bags containing marijuana, and a clear plastic bag containing meth.

In determining the $2 million bond, Boling noted that this was Ross’ 16th arrest and considered him a danger to the public. Ross was ordered to wear a GPS ankle monitor upon being bonded out.

Ross’ next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 21. If convicted, the highest sentence he faces is up to life in prison.

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