Police officer arrested for allegedly selling drugs while in uniform

HOXIE, Ark. – A Hoxie police officer is facing charges after the drug task force arrested him for allegedly selling drugs while in uniform.

On May 10, 2024, agents with the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force (2JDTF) arrested Joshua Lynn Barber as he drove into the Hoxie Police Department parking lot. Barber’s arrest stems from a multi-county operation launched after the 2JDTF received information that Barber was selling narcotics while wearing a police uniform and armed with his service weapon.

2JDTF agents were able to determine that Barber was a part-time police officer for the town of Hoxie but lived in Jonesboro. 2JDTF agents then conducted a controlled purchase on Barber while he was wearing a uniform and armed with his service weapon before he arrived for duty in the town of Hoxie.

Barber was arrested without incident and transported to the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office. There he was charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance (5-64-434) and Concomitant Possession of Drugs and Firearms (5-74-106).

Barber will make his first court appearance on Monday, May 13 in Jonesboro.

Participating agencies and personnel included members of the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force, 3rd Judicial Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police and the Arkansas National Guard Counter Drug Unit.

Additional charges are being prepared and the case will remain open until such charges are filed, the release said.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.