A second person implicated in a Baxter County drug trafficking operation has entered a guilty plea in federal court. Kadence Martin, 21, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, admitting to having knowledge of a crime and either failing to report it or taking steps to conceal it, according to federal electronic court records.
Martin’s sentencing date has yet to be scheduled. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to three years in federal prison. Based on Martin’s federal plea, a state case against her has been dismissed. Baxter County Circuit Judge Andrew Bailey signed the dismissal order on September 25. State charges against Martin had included drug trafficking, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, and endangering the welfare of a minor. However, the state reserves the right to refile charges, if necessary, in the future.
Martin’s guilty plea is connected to a federal investigation involving five individuals. Another suspect, 22-year-old Cameron Baker Jr. of Calico Rock, pleaded guilty to federal drug charges on September 21. Like Martin, his sentencing date is still pending. Baker faces a significantly longer prison sentence due to the severity of the charges against him.
Also charged in the investigation are Wesley Bray, 35, his wife Hannah Smolek-Bray, 24, and Carson Michael Grass, 21. The Brays remain in custody at the Washington County Jail and are scheduled to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court’s Criminal Division via video conference on October 12. Grass, who is one of two suspects released on bond, is expected to stand trial in federal court on November 30.
The charges stem from an incident on October 29 of last year, when Baxter County deputies responded to a report of a domestic dispute involving a firearm at a home on U.S. Highway 62 East. The residence, rented by Baker, was reportedly shared with the Brays. While investigating the disturbance, deputies observed suspected methamphetamine inside the home. A search warrant uncovered nearly 11 pounds of the drug in a vehicle on the property. Authorities say Smolek-Bray identified Baker as the owner of both the methamphetamine and a 2018 Dodge Challenger linked to the case.
The investigation expanded when authorities learned Baker was staying at Martin’s apartment. When law enforcement arrived, Martin reportedly answered the door, and Baker was found asleep in a bedroom. Officers conducting a search of the apartment found 1.5 pounds of suspected cocaine, two firearms, and $11,600 in cash inside a safe. The items were discovered with the aid of a Mountain Home Police Department drug dog, Ace.
Grass, who allegedly stayed at the U.S. Highway 62 property on the day of the initial arrest, was reportedly traveling with Baker at the time. His 2016 Ford Fusion was parked at the residence. As the investigation unfolded, claims have also surfaced through civil suits filed by Wesley Bray against law enforcement officials, alleging coercion and mistreatment during his detention. While Bray has faced procedural obstacles in advancing the lawsuits, a motion to stay one of his cases until his criminal charges are resolved remains under review.
This multi-agency investigation has led to extensive legal proceedings at both the state and federal levels, with officials continuing to prosecute the case against the remaining defendants.