JONESBORO, Ark. — A 34-year-old man from Jonesboro has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to drug and firearm-related charges stemming from a 2024 probation search, during which law enforcement discovered fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, and a handgun in a home where three small children were present.
Court records show Dylan Deante Malone pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl, possession of firearms by certain persons, and first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. Circuit Judge Chris Thyer handed down Malone’s sentence on Oct. 19, which includes 84 months in prison for the fentanyl conviction. He also received 36 months of suspended imposition of sentence on that count, along with 72 months of suspended imposition of sentence for the firearm and child endangerment convictions.
The sentence exceeds presumptive guidelines of 24 to 60 months for the Class C felony fentanyl charge, with the court citing the "severity of charges" as the reason for the departure. The firearm possession and first-degree child endangerment charges are Class D felonies.
The search of Malone’s Boydston Street residence occurred on Feb. 20, 2024, under the terms of his felony probation, which included a search waiver. According to a probable cause affidavit from the Jonesboro Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, investigators were greeted at the door by Malone and noted the smell of marijuana inside the home, which was so strong that it caused them to choke.
Authorities reported finding 22 suspected fentanyl pills weighing 3.4 grams, 7.3 grams of cocaine, 93.1 grams of marijuana divided into eight bags, and a 9 mm handgun with ammunition. A digital scale was also located in the kitchen. A bag of marijuana was reportedly left open on a living room table within reach of three children, who were watching television at the time.
After being read his Miranda rights, Malone reportedly admitted that all the items found in the home belonged to him, the affidavit states. He was arrested, and his initial bond was set at $1 million cash or surety.
Several related charges were subsequently dropped as part of the negotiated plea, including simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of cocaine with the intent to deliver, possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Malone also faces specific conditions under a conditional release agreement, signed by Judge Thyer, that allows him to remain out of custody under strict supervision until a prison bed becomes available. The agreement requires Malone to wear an ankle monitor, call the Craighead County Detention Center at 10 a.m. daily to check bed availability, and report within three hours if a vacancy arises. Violations of these terms, including tampering with the ankle monitor or failing to call on time, may lead to immediate arrest and additional charges.
The release terms further allow law enforcement to conduct warrantless searches of Malone’s person, property, vehicles, and electronics during the conditional release. In addition, any arrest for drug-related crimes, DWI, or other serious offenses will result in his immediate detention until a prison transfer occurs.
This case is linked to a prior probation-revocation matter involving Malone, court records show. He was given three days of jail time credit and assessed $440 in fines and fees, including a $150 drug-crime assessment. The sentencing order also instructs Malone to permanently forfeit the firearm seized in the case.
The Craighead County Circuit Court order addresses only the 2024 case, under case number 16JCR-24-209.