A top executive at PBS was arrested and booked on drug charges after he was pulled over by law enforcement officials in Arkansas.
Michael Hibblen, director of public affairs at Arkansas PBS, was arrested after Pulaski County deputies allegedly found methamphetamine in his car during a traffic stop earlier this week, authorities said.
Deputies pulled Hibblen over around 9 p.m. on Monday on Interstate 40 westbound after clocking him at 80 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to an arrest report obtained by KATV-TV.
The longtime journalist told deputies he was heading home after dropping off a friend at a gas station near the Prothro Junction exit, police said.
Hibblen consented to a search of his vehicle. Deputies then discovered what they described as “crystal-like shards” in a cupholder that they suspected was methamphetamine, the report said.
He was taken into custody and booked into the Pulaski County Jail on charges of speeding and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, a Class D felony.
The car was impounded, and the suspected meth was sent to the Arkansas Crime Lab for analysis, deputies said.
Arkansas PBS confirmed Hibblen’s arrest in a statement Wednesday, calling it a “personnel matter that this agency takes seriously.”
“Immediately upon learning about this situation, Michael was placed on suspended leave without pay, pending review,” the state-run broadcaster said.
Hibblen has worked at Arkansas PBS since 2023, overseeing production of the weekly public affairs show “Arkansas Week” and live coverage of state government meetings on the Arkansas Citizens Access Network, according to his LinkedIn account.
Before joining the network, Hibblen spent more than a decade as news director at NPR affiliate KUAR-FM 89.1 in Little Rock and earlier worked as a reporter and editor at WLRN-FM in Miami.
He also authored the 2017 book “Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas” and has contributed to NPR News and the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
His arraignment before Pulaski County District Court is scheduled for Jan. 13.
Arkansas PBS declined to comment further, citing the ongoing personnel review.
The network did not say whether Hibblen will return to his post pending the outcome of the criminal case.
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to questions about the traffic stop or whether additional charges could be filed.
Hibblen has not publicly commented on his arrest.
