Man facing drug, stolen gun counts

Little Rock police arrested a man early Tuesday after officers responded to a vehicle accident and found a gun that had been reported stolen in his car, according to an arrest report.

Around midnight, police arrived at an accident scene in the 2000 block of Pulaski Street and spoke with Frederick Benton, 49, of Little Rock, who was in the driver’s seat of his vehicle.

Police said Benton had watery, bloodshot eyes, his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. In the driver’s-side floorboard, officers found a handgun — which they later discovered had been reported stolen — and a loaded magazine, the report said.

Benton is a convicted felon and cannot legally own a gun, the report states.

Police also found less than a gram of a small white rocklike substance.

Benton is charged with possession of a firearm by a certain person, possession of cocaine with purpose to distribute and theft by receiving, all felonies. He also faces charges of driving while intoxicated, driving with a suspended license and reckless driving.