By: Patti Weaver
(Stillwater, Okla.) — A Stillwater man with five prior drug convictions was arraigned Thursday on charges of trafficking methamphetamine, possessing PCP, cocaine, and cocaine base with intent to distribute, possessing drug paraphernalia including 55 plastic baggies, driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance, resisting arrest, and operating a vehicle without a license.
Larry Ray Rice Jr., 39, also known by the surname of Givens, remains free on $100,000 bail pending a Jan. 14, 2021, court appearance with an attorney. Rice got out of prison four years ago, but he remains on probation on three of his prior convictions for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, court records show.
During a traffic stop at Main Street and Miller Avenue at 5:55 pm on Nov. 22, “His eyes appeared to be glassy and bloodshot,” Stillwater Police Officer Cory Westbrook alleged in an affidavit filed with the charge last week.
“Throughout my conversation with Rice, he looked at me with a blank stare on his face and never was able to answer any of my questions with a coherent answer,” the Stillwater officer alleged in his affidavit.
“I was concerned about his overall demeanor and believed Rice to be under the influence of drugs…I continued to stay calm as I observed him becoming more agitated,” and requested backup, the Stillwater officer wrote in his affidavit.
“I did observe a large bulge in the front waistline area of Rice when speaking with him at his vehicle…I was concerned that Rice could be armed…Rice continued to ignore my commands,” to place his hands outside the car and to turn his car engine off, the Stillwater officer alleged in his affidavit.
“Rice then opened his driver door and swung his legs outside of the vehicle while continuing to refuse to show me his hands. I raised my tone of voice and began screaming at Rice to show me his hands…He reached under his shirt and into his pants/waistband area. Myself and other officers shouted commands for him to place his hands above his head and he refused.
“This situation continued to escalate as Rice refused to follow commands and refused to show his hands. The situation intensified due to the traffic in the area. Vehicles continued driving west on Miller Avenue as we had Rice at gunpoint. Rice had placed himself, all officers and citizens at risk by refusing to follow our commands. It was still unknown as to what he had in his waistband area.
“I screamed at him to get on the ground. He did not comply. I screamed at him that he would be shot. He did not comply and then reached his right hand into his waistband toward the bulging item that I had observed earlier in the traffic stop. Finally, Rice faced me where I could see his hands as I continued to order him to get on the ground.
“He began to take his jacket off. At this time Officer Knox shouted Taser before deploying his Taser. After the Taser was deployed, Officer Rivas took Rice to the ground securing his hands. After placing Rice in handcuffs, Rice was asked where he was. He was unable to advise us where he was or what he was doing,” the Stillwater officer alleged in his affidavit.
“Rice was believed to be under the influence of PCP due to his behavior during the contact…I observed him to have a slurred speech, lack of concentration, poor coordination/motor skills, and odd/erratic behavior,” the officer alleged in his affidavit.
“When Rice was tackled by Officer Rivas, there was a small black case that fell from his person,” believed to be the bulge in his waistband area that he continued reaching for and toward, the officer alleged in his affidavit.
In the case were 55 small clear empty plastic baggies, a medium-sized wooden storage container, smoking device, a diamond vape, four small black vials believed to be PCP, a white substance believed to be cocaine base, a white crystalized substance believed to be methamphetamine, an off-white chunky substance believed to be crack cocaine, and a small baggy with apparent methamphetamine, the affidavit alleged.
If convicted of his current charges, Rice could be given a life prison term plus 23 years, court records show.
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