BENTON — A federal grand jury has indicted three area residents on a count of conspiracy to distribute and possess Alpha PVP, also known as bath salts.

According to the indictment, 32-year-old Crystal Behrens, of Alma, 32-year-old Toby DePoister, and 28-year-old Brandon Hewkin, both of Edgewood, were all arrested separately last Thursday. They all appeared Friday in U.S. District Court in Benton where they were advised of the charge against them.

The indictment states that from about 2015 to on or about December 2017, in Clay and Marion counties, the three knowingly conspired with Dennis Thacker Jr., and others to intentionally distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute bath salts.

The three were returned after court to the Marion County Jail to await detention hearings in Federal Court on Wednesday.