Two people were arrested on Wednesday, September 24th as part of an ongoing operation to apprehend scammers preying on victims in this area. In July, 2025 local law enforcement agencies began investigating multiple fraud schemes involving suspects defrauding elderly victims into surrendering large amounts of U.S. currency. As was previously reported, four arrests have already been made as a part of this operation.
As part of this continuing operation, law enforcement recently set up a controlled delivery scenario involving $250,000 in bait money, which was intended to draw out individuals participating in this particular attempt to defraud scheme that resulted in yesterday’s arrests. This investigation was led by the Mountain Home Police Department.
On Monday, September 22, 2025, undercover arrangements made with a known scammer who was purporting himself by telephone to be Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery. This scammer instructed an elderly male, who cooperated with law enforcement in this investigation, to send $250,000 in cash to Mountain Home via Federal Express under the pretense of safeguarding the money for the victim. The fake “Sheriff” stated one his deputies, “Deputy Steve Rogers”, would pick up the cash.
Scammers work out of call centers located in other countries. Scammers will use other persons referred to as “money mules” to make pick-ups of cash from victims after the scammer has arranged the transaction by phone.
On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at approximately 10:40 AM, the FedEx package arrived at PostNet in Mountain Home, Arkansas. At approximately 10:56 AM, a male subject entered the business and identified himself as “Steve Rogers” in order to claim the package. Upon taking possession of the package, the suspect was detained by law enforcement. He was identified as 25 year old JOSIAH KAMAL SMITH of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. SMITH was found to be in possession of a fraudulent Illinois driver license issued in the name of “Steve Rogers”.
Upon questioning, SMITH stated he was recruited by an individual in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to act as a money mule to pick up the package in Mountain Home in exchange for being paid $500. SMITH had been dropped off at PostNet by a female, and he provided officers with a description of the vehicle the female was driving. SMITH also stated that he had been instructed to remove the license plate from the vehicle. Officers found the vehicle in the parking lot. It was occupied by 33 year old BRIANA BRITTANY NORWOOD of Northport, Alabama. NORWOOD told officers she had been recruited by SMITH to drive him to Mountain Home in exchange for $500. NORWOOD was found to have a fraudulent Connecticut driver license in her possession under the name of “Angela Mullen.”
JOSIAH SMITH and BRIANA NORWOOD were both arrested and subsequently taken to the Baxter County Detention Center. Each of them was booked, and the Mountain Home Police Department has obtained and filed a probable cause affidavit for the following charges on each:
Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft of Property – Felony
Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property – Felony
Financial Identity Fraud – Felony
SMITH and NORWOOD are being held in custody in lieu of $25,000 cash bond each. They are scheduled to appear before the Baxter County Circuit Court to answer on October 6th.
Agencies involved in this investigation were the Mountain Home Police Department, Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, U S Department of Homeland Security – Investigations. As with the previous arrests, Trilogy Media, Inc., an organization dedicated to alerting the public about scams and shedding light on scammers through video observation and recording, was instrumental in partnering with law enforcement and setting up this sting operation. Local law enforcement will continue to work together diligently and with our partners to protect the public from scammers and fraudulent activities.
