Hugh James Stiles, age 51, was charged Monday in Independence County Circuit Court with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance — methamphetamine greater than two grams but less than 10 grams — and one count of delivery of methamphetamine less than two grams. Stiles is also being charged as a habitual offender.
According to court records, the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force conducted three controlled drug purchases from Stiles using a confidential informant. Authorities say they purchased controlled substances from Stiles twice in 2025 and once in 2026.
The informant was given identifiable task force buy money and an audio/video recording device. Task force members also followed the informant to a meeting location, observing the informant and Stiles making the exchange.
Officers noted Stiles was identified in each buy video.
Stiles’s bond on his additional charges was set at $10,000. Stiles was already being held on a $50,000 bond for battery and robbery charges.
Original March 14th Article:
Authorities say a couple is facing numerous felony charges after Batesville PD investigators say a woman lured a former co-worker to a park where he was robbed and assaulted.
Jordan Robbins, age 23, was arrested March 12th on suspicion of robbery, theft of property and third-degree battery as an accomplice.
Hugh Stiles, age 52, is charged with robbery, theft of property, third-degree battery and tampering with evidence.
Both suspects are currently being held in the Independence County Detention Center.
Authorities say the victim filed a report around 12:30 a.m. on March 4th 2026 alleging that Robbins a former co-worker had driven him to Bayou Park for what he believed would be a sexual encounter.
While the two were sitting in the vehicle, the victim reported a person dressed in black suddenly pulled him out of the vehicle, punched and kicked him, and stole his cellphone and prescription eye glasses.
The victim had visible injuries, including scratches on his face, forehead and back, as well as a swollen jaw according to police. He also told officers he believed Robbins knew the attacker before she drove away and left him at the park.
Police tracked Robbins’ vehicle using license plate reader cameras in the area.
Robbins admitted to driving the victim to the park but claimed she fled because she was afraid when someone pulled him from the car. She also did not contact police allegedly because her phone battery was nearly dead.
Robbins stated to detectives she later went to the Economy Inn to see Stiles, described as a former roommate and ex-boyfriend. Investigators say this was contradicted by activity on her social media accounts.
Robbins physically resisted when detectives attempted to seize her phone, biting an investigator, causing bleeding and scratches to the officer’s hand.
At the Economy Inn, detectives found clothing in Stiles’ room matching the victim’s description of the attacker and video showed Robbins and Stiles leaving the motel together around 9:05 p.m. on March 3 and returning about 40 minutes.
Investigators also discovered messages on Stiles’ phone discussing plans to exploit the victim.
One message he reportedly told Robbins to try to “hustle” the victim for money.
Investigators say the victim had received his paycheck earlier that day, and believe Robbins and Stiles were aware of it.