Prosecutors have dropped all charges against Johnny Latroy Wilbourn, who was accused of fleeing from police and discarding 25.55 grams of suspected cocaine during a traffic stop in Jonesboro. The decision followed issues with a key piece of evidence.
According to court documents, a judge signed an order of nolle prosequi on September 3, ending the case at the prosecution's request. The order was filed the following day and cited “prosecutorial discretion and/or plea negotiations in the best interest of justice.” It also noted that a video file, stored on a jump drive and apparently relevant to the case, could not be opened or viewed.
The dismissal order did not specify whether the video file’s inaccessibility was the sole reason for the decision or whether the case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning charges could not be refiled. There was no indication in the documents of a plea agreement.
Wilbourn had faced multiple charges, including three felonies: possession of between 10 and 200 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine, tampering with physical evidence, and fleeing. Additionally, he was charged with driving on a suspended license and operating a vehicle without proof of liability insurance.
The charges stemmed from a June 7, 2025, traffic stop near Nell Drive and Airport Road. A probable cause affidavit states that police officers pulled over a brown Jeep Cherokee after being unable to verify its insurance coverage. When officers learned that Wilbourn’s driver’s license was suspended, they asked him to exit the car. Instead, Wilbourn allegedly put the vehicle into drive and fled. Officers claim Wilbourn drove off through a gravel parking lot, nearly hitting another officer who had just arrived. He reportedly continued south through the intersection of Airport Road and Nettleton Avenue before abandoning the vehicle at the dead end of Nelms Street and fleeing on foot.
Police attempted to locate Wilbourn with a police dog, but the affidavit notes that foot traffic in the area disrupted the search. Later, Agent Jeremy Parnell of the 2nd Judicial District Drug Task Force recovered a clear bag containing 25.55 grams of suspected cocaine in the grass near the parking lot where the Jeep had been originally stopped. The affidavit alleges that surveillance footage from a nearby business showed Wilbourn tossing a white bag from the driver’s-side window near the area where the drugs were found. Investigators stated that no vehicles or individuals had entered that area between the alleged act and the discovery of the bag.
The dismissal order does not confirm whether the problematic video file was the identified surveillance footage mentioned in the affidavit. Following his arrest, a court initially set Wilbourn’s bond at $100,000 cash or surety.
The order also directed law enforcement to destroy all nonfirearm evidence connected to the case.
Wilbourn, like all suspects, remains innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.