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Two Arkansas men convicted on methamphetamine, cocaine conspiracies across multiple states

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Two Arkansas men convicted on methamphetamine, cocaine conspiracies across multiple states


A federal jury has convicted two Arkansas men and a California man involved in methamphetamine and cocaine conspiracies that spanned from California to Texas to Arkansas, involving multiple pounds of drugs.

The trial, spanning six days, ended Tuesday evening with guilty verdicts for 54-year-old Bruce McArthur Smith, of Hesperia, Calif., 54-year-old Kevin Langel, of Pine Bluff, and 71-year-old Larry Rogers, of Benton.

The three men were initially indicted in November 2022, with a federal grand jury returning a Superseding Indictment on January 6, 2026. Smith was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.

Langel and Rogers were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, with Langel’s charge involving more than five kilograms of cocaine and Rogers’ charge involving more than 500 grams, but less than five kilograms of cocaine.

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Evidence proved the controlled substances being sold by the three men were ultimately purchased from 58-year-old Roderick Toney, of Little Rock.

Toney pleaded guilty on February 7, 2025, to conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Toney is awaiting sentencing.

At the trial, the prosecution presented phone calls between Smith and Toney that detailed multiple methamphetamine transactions.

The investigation revealed that Smith knew individuals in Pine Bluff and came to Arkansas multiple times during the conspiracy period of 2020 through 2022.

Toney received a large amount of methamphetamine directly from Smith at an apartment complex in Little Rock several times during the period.

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In June and July 2022, Toney was purchasing kilograms of Cocaine from Rogers.

Evidence detailed Toney and Rogers’ movements on July 14, 2022, when Rogers obtained money from a relative of Toney’s at a car wash, and proceeded to travel to a business on Geyer Springs Road in Little Rock, where he met Langel and obtained a kilogram of cocaine.

In addition to evidence that Langel was the source of supply of cocaine that Rogers obtained for Toney, the prosecution presented evidence that Langel was involved in numerous kilogram transactions of cocaine sourced from Houston and Dallas in late 2022 and early 2023.

All men were detained following the jury’s verdict and will be sentenced at a later time.

Smith and Langel’s conspiracy charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years, with a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a minimum of five years’ supervised release to follow. Rogers’ charge carries a minimum of five years and a maximum sentence of 40 years, and four years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

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Arkansas

Men’s Tennis Goes 1-1 in Texas on Sunday

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Men’s Tennis Goes 1-1 in Texas on Sunday


The No. 36 Arkansas men’s tennis team had a pair of matches in Austin on Sunday to close out a Texas road trip and the Hogs went 1-1 in the outings.

The Razorbacks (15-10, 3-8) started the day with a 4-0 loss to No. 3 Texas (18-6, 9-2). The Longhorns’ Kalin Ivanovski and Abel Forger defeated No. 64 Connor Smillie and Jakub Vrba 6-3 to start doubles. No. 23 Sebastian Gorzny and Lucas Marionneau then took down Brendan Boland and Dmitry Kopilevich 6-1, and Texas claimed the doubles point.

In singles, No. 90 Abel Forger quickly won over Arsène Pogault on court four at 6-1, 6-1. Oliver Ojakaar made it 3-0 Texas with a 6-4, 6-1 takedown of Gabriel Elicha Navas, and Lucas Marionneau sealed the sweep for the home team with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Brendan Boland.

Against the University of Incarnate Word (10-3, 2-0) later in the day, two of Arkansas’ doubles pairings won: Vrba and Smillie 7-5 over Santiago Flyckt and Marcel Moralles and Boland and Kopilevich 6-3 over Alexandre Chauvel and Alejandro Hernandez. Lukas Palovic and Eric Padgham were also up 6-5 over Augustin Salazar and Emilio Vila.

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The Hogs continued to dominate in singles as No. 18 Vrba defeated Vila 6-4, 6-3, Kopilevich won 6-1, 6-1 over Salazar and Smillie took down Christian Cuellar 6-0, 6-4 for a 4-0 clean sweep to close out the day.

The Razorbacks return to action at home on Thursday, April 2 with an SEC matchup against Mississippi State at 5:30 p.m.

For the latest information on all things Arkansas Men’s Tennis, follow the Hogs on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Men’s Tennis) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackMTennis).



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Arkansas Storm Team Forecast: Midweek Rain Chances

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Arkansas Storm Team Forecast: Midweek Rain Chances


We’ve got clouds to start out this Sunday with temperatures on the cool side. Once clouds exit, which should be later this afternoon, temperatures will warm into the 70s.

We’ll be back into the 80s both tomorrow and Tuesday. Dry conditions will continue through the next couple of days with a high wildfire danger persisting statewide.

Rain chances return midweek, with Wednesday through Friday bringing what could be a meaningful rainfall. Rainfall amounts are still uncertain, but we’re getting closer to pinpointing that. Stay tuned for updates!

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Renegade wins 2026 Arkansas Derby

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Renegade wins 2026 Arkansas Derby


HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — After a hotly contested race, Renegade emerged as the winner of the 2026 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on Saturday.

The horse is owned by Robert & Lawana L. Low and Repole Stable, trained by Todd Pletcher, and ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Renegade entered the race with 3/2 odds to win.

Silent Tactic finished in second place and Taptastic took home third.

In addition to his share of the $1.5 million purse, Renegade also earned points toward the Kentucky Derby.

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