Hot Springs, Arkansas – A Pearcy man has been sentenced to a lengthy federal prison term following a dangerous encounter with law enforcement that ended in his arrest.
Michael Fryar, of Pearcy, received a total of 175 months in prison after being convicted on multiple charges. These included one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and additional penalties for violating the terms of his supervised release from a prior conviction. The sentencing took place before Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
Details of the Offense
Court documents reveal that the incident occurred on July 22, 2024, when an Arkansas State Police trooper attempted a traffic stop on Fryar in Garland County. Instead of complying, Fryar chose to flee, leading officers on a short vehicle pursuit before abandoning his car and attempting to escape on foot into a wooded area.
The trooper pursued Fryar on foot and, after a tense chase, was forced to deploy a taser to subdue him. At the time of his apprehension, Fryar was carrying a loaded firearm with a round in the chamber and was found in possession of a distribution quantity of methamphetamine.
Criminal History and Federal Supervision
Authorities emphasized that Fryar was already on federal supervised release for a previous conviction when this crime occurred. His extensive criminal record weighed heavily against him during sentencing, highlighting a repeated pattern of unlawful behavior.
The 175-month sentence reflects both the severity of the latest offenses and his continued disregard for the law while under supervision.
With this sentence, law enforcement officials reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the public from individuals engaged in drug trafficking and armed criminal activity. Fryar will now serve more than 14 years behind bars before any possibility of release.
