Russellville, Arkansas – A Russellville man with a decades-long criminal record and a prior federal drug conviction has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after admitting to distributing fentanyl in Arkansas.
Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced that Douglas Scott Reeves, 52, received a 120-month federal prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
United States District Judge D. P. Marshall Jr. handed down the sentence and also ordered Reeves to serve eight years of supervised release after he completes his prison term.
Federal officials noted that there is no parole in the federal prison system.
Investigation Revealed Large Scale Fentanyl Distribution
According to prosecutors, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Reeves on Dec. 5, 2023.
The charges included conspiracy to distribute fentanyl with an enhancement tied to a previous serious drug felony conviction, two counts of fentanyl distribution, and one count involving possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Reeves later pleaded guilty on Dec. 19, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl while acknowledging the prior serious drug conviction enhancement.
Court documents stated that between 2021 and 2023, investigators received information indicating Reeves was obtaining fentanyl powder and fentanyl tablets that he used to manufacture additional fentanyl pills for resale.
Authorities said law enforcement officers conducted several controlled purchases of fentanyl directly from Reeves at his Russellville residence. Officials stated the transactions were recorded as part of the investigation.
On Sept. 27, 2023, officers executed a search warrant at Reeves’ residence. Prosecutors said Reeves fled during the operation.
During the search, investigators located fentanyl, psilocybin mushrooms, and paraphernalia associated with drug distribution activity.
Federal authorities said Reeves later admitted he had distributed at least 280 grams of fentanyl.
Investigators also revealed that Reeves admitted using Narcan on at least 18 people who were suffering overdoses.
Long Criminal History Detailed in Federal Case
Federal prosecutors described Reeves as someone with an extensive criminal history stretching back more than three decades.
Officials noted that Reeves was previously convicted in federal court in the Eastern District of Arkansas on Feb. 14, 2013, for possession of equipment and chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine.
That earlier sentence included supervised release, which prosecutors said was revoked twice.
Authorities also outlined a long list of prior convictions dating back to the early 1990s.
According to court records, Reeves’ criminal history includes multiple convictions involving burglary, theft of property, theft by receiving, criminal mischief, fleeing law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, and delivery of methamphetamine.
Federal officials said the case highlights the continuing dangers associated with fentanyl trafficking, especially as overdose deaths continue affecting communities across the country.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police, and the Russellville Police Department.
Federal authorities continue emphasizing that fentanyl trafficking remains one of the highest enforcement priorities due to the deadly nature of the synthetic opioid and its connection to overdose deaths nationwide.
