Wayne M. Smith

Ashley M. Coniglio

Michael A. Behrens

     Three people were arrested Monday afternoon, September 10th, on felony drug charges.  With the aid of a confidential informant (CI), investigators with the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force purchased approximately seven grams of methamphetamine for $320 during a controlled buy.  A cellular phone was used to facilitate the transaction.

     The informant met with WAYNE MATHIS SMITH, ASHLEY MARIE CONIGLIO, and MICHAEL ANTHONY BEHRENS.  Each of them actively took part in the transaction, which was monitored and recorded by investigators.   A short time after the transaction took place, investigators stopped the vehicle that SMITH, CONIGLIO, and BEHRENS were in.  Various articles of drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle and/or on their persons.  They were each taken into custody and transported to the Detention Center and have been charged as follows:

WAYNE MATHIS SMITH, 65 years old of Gassville, charged with:

Delivery of Methamphetamine – Felony
Unlawful Use of Communications Device – Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2 counts) – Felonies

ASHLEY MARIE CONIGLIO, 24 years old of Cotter, charged with:

Delivery of Methamphetamine – Felony
Unlawful Use of Communications Device – Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2 counts) – Felonies
Probation Violation

MICHAEL ANTHONY BEHRENS, 28 years old of Mountain Home, charged with:

Delivery of Methamphetamine – Felony
Unlawful Use of Communications Device – Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2 counts) – Felonies

     They each have a bond of $20,000 on these charges and will appear before the Circuit Court to answer on September 27th.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff