Little Rock, Arkansas – A Little Rock man with a long criminal history has been sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, following a dramatic police pursuit and arrest in 2024. Bralyn Wadlington, 28, will also face five years of supervised release after completing his prison term. The sentence was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and handed down by U.S. District Judge Brian S. Miller on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Traffic Stop Escalates into Chase and Drug Seizure
The charges stem from an incident on May 29, 2024, when an Arkansas State Police (ASP) trooper pulled over a black Kia Optima for speeding. The driver, later identified as Wadlington, initially made contact with the trooper but then suddenly fled the scene in the vehicle, triggering a high-speed chase through Little Rock.
As troopers pursued him, Wadlington ran a red light at Asher Avenue and University Avenue, crashing into a civilian’s white pickup truck. Despite the collision, Wadlington refused to comply with police commands. He exited his vehicle through the passenger side and attempted to escape on foot.
A second ASP trooper soon arrived and deployed a taser to subdue and take Wadlington into custody. Following the arrest, troopers searched the vehicle and made a major discovery in the backseat: approximately 446.6 grams of methamphetamine, an FN Herstal Five-Seven 5.7x28mm caliber firearm, multiple rounds of ammunition, several bags, and a digital scale commonly used in drug distribution.
Felony Indictment and Prior Criminal History
On June 4, 2024, Wadlington was indicted by a federal grand jury on four charges: possession with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He later pleaded guilty to the methamphetamine charge on January 22, 2025.
Wadlington’s sentence was significantly elevated due to his status as a career offender, a designation applied because of his extensive criminal background. His record includes convictions for residential burglary, theft by receiving (twice), possession of Schedule I/II and Schedule VI controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to deliver, fleeing (twice), fraud to obtain narcotics, and two convictions for possession of a firearm by certain persons.
“There is no parole in the federal system,” the announcement noted, underscoring the full weight of Wadlington’s sentence.
Federal Agencies Lead Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in collaboration with the Arkansas State Police, who initially encountered Wadlington during the traffic stop. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Hinojosa.
The sentencing of Bralyn Wadlington adds another chapter to ongoing federal efforts to disrupt drug trafficking operations and remove repeat offenders from the streets, especially those found armed and dealing in large quantities of narcotics.
