Local marijuana dealer takes a hit, calls police

Andrew Rozell made a 911 call at 3:41 p.m. Saturday to Lowell police claiming his marijuana was stolen at gunpoint.

According to court documents, Rozell told police officers that Brian Otieno, a friend, asked him about getting marijuana, and Rozell said he BENTONVILLE - A Lowell man recently reinquired about one-quarter pound of the drug and agreed to sell it to Otieno for $350.

Otieno and two other men came to Rozell's apartment to complete the drug transaction, but once inside his apartment, one of the men pulled a gun on Rozell, an affidavit in the case states. Rozell claims he was ordered to get on the floor, and when he was down, one of the suspects kicked him in the head. Otieno then told the man to stop kicking Rozell, the affidavit states.

Rozell claimed the men grabbed the marijuana from the counter and left, but threatened to kill him if he came outside, according to court documents.

Lowell Police Chief Joe Landers contacted Otieno by phone and told him police needed to talk with him concerning an incident with Rozell. Otieno claimed he had not been in Lowell; then Otieno laughed and said, "I think it is crazy that I gotta talk to the police because some white boy got ripped off for some dope," the affidavit states.

Police were able to identify a second suspect as Charles Joseph Jackson. Jackson's photograph was shown to Rozell, who claimed Jackson was the one who pointed the gun at him and kicked him in the head, according to the affidavit.

Jackson and Otieno were arrested for aggravated robbery, a class Y felony, which is punishable with a sentence of 10 to 40 years or life in prison.

Jackson, 21, of Bentonville is being held in the Benton County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bond. Otieno, 20, is being held in the county jail in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Police have not identified the third suspect, according to Landers.

Landers said it was an unusual case.

The police chief said Rozell was not arrested, and the decision on whether Rozell will face any criminal charges rests with prosecutors.