Cindy Baker sentenced to 10 years, 6 suspended

BERRYVILLE -- Attorney Cindy Baker will be stripped of her law license and sent to a drug rehabilitation facility after pleading guilty to meth-related felony charges Wednesday.
She received a 10-year sentence, with six years suspended, a judicial transfer to the Department of Community Correction where drug rehab is available, and 14 years of supervised probation.
The 37-year-old Berryville attorney made headlines several years ago when the courthouse was evacuated after she introduced what was believed to be a bomb during trial.
Her name surfaced in the news again when she was charged with contempt of court by both Green Forest and Berryville district judges, who claimed she had misrepresented her ability to appear in their courts.
Baker was set for a jury trial earlier in this month to face several felony charges stemming from her arrest more than a year ago when investigators arrived at her Berryville home and law office with a search warrant. Meth, drug paraphernalia and weapons were seized.
She was suspected of selling meth to a confidential informant on more than one occasion.
During Wednesday's negotiated plea agreement, Baker admitted she was in possession of meth when investigators arrived.
She was represented by Little Rock Attorney Jeff Rosenzweig, who outlined the conditions of the negotiated plea agreement.
She is to surrender to the Carroll County Sheriff's Office by noon Jan. 4 following medical tests that are scheduled to take place in Springfield, Mo., on Jan. 3.
She will be allowed to reside in Missouri, where she is currently living, once her incarceration is complete, and will be allowed to comply with her terms of probation/parole there.
In addition, Rosenzweig wanted to make it clear that his client was in need of various prescription drugs and asked for assurance that those drugs would be properly administered while she was incarcerated.
He also asked for credit for the 72 hours of time served.
H.G. Foster, special prosecutor for the state, said he agreed to the negotiations and the results because it was the appropriate resolution. He said the Carroll County Sheriff's Office had done an excellent job and had an excellent case -- but based upon his examination of the issues, this resolution was the best.
Special Judge Gary Arnold agreed, saying it was an appropriate sentence.
He made sure Baker was aware that under the terms of the sentence, she could "go to the pen up to 14 years."
He spoke to her directly, saying she was the "perfect example" of what meth can do, saying it does not respect anyone, anywhere, and she had made bad choices.
Arnold said he hoped she would consider her "obligation and opportunity" to correct the problem and to make a big difference in the lives of others dealing with the evils of meth.
"I encourage you to do that," he said. "First take care of yourself, then help others."
Investigator J. J. Reddick, with the CCSO, said he was satisfied with the outcome, although law enforcement officials always want the guilty to serve the maximum time.
"As long as she gets help -- that's what it's all about," he said. "I feel good because our case was solid."
Prosecutor Foster agreed, saying, "It's her best shot at keeping a needle out of her arm and messing up again."