Moorcroft man charged with possession

Benito Juarez of Moorcroft faces a felony charge of possession after he was pulled over for a badly damaged windshield.

On June 22, a Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy was stopped on Juniper Hills Road at around 7:05 p.m. when he observed a vehicle with a badly broken windshield and effected a traffic stop. The occupant was Juarez, who the deputy reports knowing from prior contacts.

Juarez allegedly stated he had just purchased the vehicle and produced a title indicating he had done so two days earlier for $50. He also allegedly stated he had been living with an individual for one week and working for their company, though he did not know the name or address of that company.

The vehicle title reflected an address in Powell, the deputy reports, but Juarez’s driver’s license showed a Rozet address.

A check of Juarez’s driving history indicated his driving privileges were “not eligible” with more than 20 enforcement records and he was also under a financial responsibility suspension. The deputy himself had issued citations to Juarez in 2019, but reports that Juarez failed to appear in court and moved from Crook County.

A check of Juarez’s criminal history allegedly showed four prior “failure to appear” charges. The deputy states feeling significant concern that the same would happen in this instance and placed him under arrest.

An inventory of the vehicle allegedly revealed a glass smoking pipe and baggie of crystal substance consistent with methamphetamine, which later tested presumptive positive. Indications of intravenous drug use were allegedly later observed on Juarez’s person.

Juarez has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense, with previously known possession charges in Texas and Campbell County. He has also been charged with misdemeanor counts of driving without insurance, no insurance (second or subsequent offense) and open container in a vehicle.