Prairie Grove man pleads guilty to possessing over 11 pounds of marijuana, images of child sex abuse

A Prairie Grove man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison in two plea deals after he was charged with possessing more than 11 pounds of marijuana and images depicting child sexual abuse.

Christopher J. Marks, 31, entered two guilty pleas for two separate cases Wednesday before Judge Mark Gerhardt, including one count of possession with intent to deliver over 5,000 grams of marijuana, a Class X felony, and one count of possessing images depicting child sexual abuse involving children younger than 13, according to court records.

Marks was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the drug charge and three years for possessing images of children younger than 13 being sexually abused, according to court documents. The sentences will run consecutively, meaning Marks will serve one after the other, totaling 13 years in prison.

In exchange for the drug charge plea, 22 other charges were dropped, including three Class X felony charges of possessing LSD and ecstasy, along with armed violence, court records show. Nine other charges of possessing images depicting child sexual abuse also were dropped, according to court records.

Both of Marks’ cases were filed in 2021. According to an original indictment, Marks was armed with a pistol while committing a felony. He also originally was charged with possessing cocaine, psilocybin, alprazolam and acetaminophen pills.