JONESBORO, Ark. — A Craighead County jury has convicted Karen Ann Primm of felony fourth-offense driving while intoxicated (DWI) and sentenced her to six years in state prison, according to a sentencing order filed on September 2.
The jury also imposed a $5,000 fine as part of the sentence. Circuit Judge Randy Philhours entered the judgment, credited Primm with 15 days already served, and directed she be transported to the Arkansas Division of Correction.
Records show the jury reached its verdict during a trial on the matter, and a separate charge of careless and prohibited driving was dismissed.
Primm’s case originated on November 16, 2025, when Jonesboro police answered multiple calls reporting a hazardous driver in the area. Officers located her vehicle near the intersection of Main and Oak streets and observed dangerous behavior, including leaving the roadway and driving onto a sidewalk before returning to the street. Officers also reported that Primm ran red lights at the intersections of Main and Matthews and Main and Washington.
During the subsequent traffic stop, police observed an open, lidless orange pill bottle on Primm’s lap. They noted that her speech was slurred, her responses were delayed, and she failed to complete field sobriety tests.
Court documents showed Primm had three prior DWI convictions—one each in 2018, 2019, and 2023. Under Arkansas law, a fourth DWI offense becomes a felony.
Following her arrest, District Judge Tommy Fowler initially set Primm’s bond at $25,000 cash-only. Craighead County jail records indicated she was released later the same day.
The sentencing order identified Marty Lilly as Primm’s defense attorney, with Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gina Knight-Nelson representing the state. The order also confirmed that Primm was advised of her right to appeal the case.