Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
A Newcastle man faces felony charges related to meth and marijuana after both substances were found in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
On the morning of January 3, a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper noticed a vehicle traveling over the posted speed limit on Highway 16. Radar recorded a reading of 77 mph in a 70 mph zone.
The trooper reports activating his lights to initiate a traffic stop and the vehicle slowed, but did not immediately pull over. After around half a mile, the vehicle pulled over; the trooper recognized it from previous contact.
The trooper identified the driver as David Garrison. Through his knowledge of Garrison’s previous contacts with law enforcement, he states in his report that he knew Garrison to be an abuser of controlled substances including marijuana and meth.
Garrison allegedly looked nervous and was unable to sit still. The trooper asked him to exit the vehicle and patted him down, finding a flask containing whiskey in his coat pocket.
A check of Garrison’s driver’s license allegedly showed it was suspended. The trooper contacted the Crook County Sheriff’s Office to request the assistance of its K-9 unit.
Garrison allegedly denied having drunk any of the whiskey and said he was not under the influence of meth or marijuana. Garrison was seated in the trooper’s patrol vehicle.
When the K-9 unit arrived, it alerted to the odor of a controlled substance in Garrison’s vehicle. The trooper reports searching the vehicle and locating a metal pipe with burnt marijuana residue, a case containing a glass pipe with white residue and assorted items including containers of suspected marijuana and meth, a digital scale and numerous baggies.
The trooper advised Garrison he was under arrest and reports noting that his demeanor changed and he no longer appeared nervous.
The items recovered from the vehicle were later weighed and the controlled substances were recorded to contain approximately 14 grams of marijuana and 13.5 grams of meth.
Garrison has been charged with three felony counts: possession of meth with intent to deliver, possession of meth and possession of marijuana, third or subsequent offense (with three known prior convictions in Wyoming and South Dakota since 2014.)