Hot Springs Man Sentenced To Over 10 Years In Federal Prison For Drug Trafficking

Hot Springs, Arkansas – David Clay Fowlkes, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced today that Mark Joseph Geurin, age 32, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.

In February 2018, a Hot Springs Police Officer attempted to stop a vehicle operated by Geurin, for a traffic offense. A high-speed chase ensued, and officers had to execute a pit maneuver to terminate the pursuit. Geurin then fled on foot and was apprehended by officers. A search of Geurin’s person revealed a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue. Officers conducted an inventory search of the vehicle Geurin was driving and located a black jacket behind the driver's seat. Inside the jacket a baggie of methamphetamine was located, which contained approximately 25 grams of methamphetamine. Geurin was transported to the Garland County Detention Center and an additional 10.5 grams of methamphetamine were located on his person.

The suspected methamphetamine was submitted to the Arkansas State Crime lab for testing and tested positive for methamphetamine.

In August 2018, after posting bond from the February incident, Geurin led Troopers with the Arkansas State Police on a second high-speed chase, reaching speeds of up to 144 miles per hour and nearly colliding with another motorist.        

Geurin was indicted by a federal grand jury in December of 2018 and entered a guilty plea in May of 2020. 

This case was investigated by the Hot Springs Police Department and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the Western District of Arkansas.