(Stillwater, Okla.) – A Cushing man was placed on one year’s probation Friday with conditions including random drug tests for possessing methamphetamine and a syringe when he was stopped two years ago by Cushing Police Officer Matt Piatt.
District Judge Phillip Corley noted in court Friday that Levi Cole Culwell, 21, who had been ordered in May to complete treatment at Turning Point and attend NA/AA meetings, had a favorable report.
Culwell, who had already completed a substance abuse evaluation, was ordered Friday to enroll in WorkForce Oklahoma, perform 50 hours of community service, comply with the methamphetamine registry, and pay various fines along with assessments.
Culwell came to the attention of the Cushing police officer while he was on patrol in the 200 block of E. Broadway at 8:50 p.m. on Sept. 26, 2016, and was flagged down by a man who said he just witnessed a drug deal at the Cherry Street Maveric, an affidavit said.
“The reporting party directed me to a male subject who I know as Levi Culwell, who was walking north in the 100 block of N. Harrison,” the Cushing officer wrote in an affidavit.
“I explained to Culwell that I was told that he was involved in a drug deal at the Cherry Street Maveric. I asked Culwell if he had anything illegal on his person and he stated he had a syringe.
“I asked Culwell what the syringe was for and he stated he always had one because he was a ‘dope fiend,’” the Cushing officer wrote in his affidavit.
“I asked Culwell if he would grant me consent to remove the needle and he stated he would. I told Culwell I appreciated his honesty and the fact he told me he had a needle because I didn’t want to get struck by it.
“I reached into Culwell’s right shorts pocket and removed a used 30 cc capped syringe. I also removed two clear zip lock baggies with a crystal residue.
“At that time, I did not have a test kit in my vehicle or on my person and told Culwell I was not arresting him because he was honest with me. I did tell Culwell that I would test the seized items and would send a report to the District Attorney if it tested positive,” the Cushing officer wrote in his affidavit.
The test at the Cushing Police Department did show that the substance was methamphetamine, the affidavit said.
Because Culwell’s sentence was deferred Friday, he will not have a criminal record of the charge if he successfully completes his one-year probationary term.
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