Kevin Elridge
(PCSD file photo)
By Patti Weaver
(Stillwater, Okla.) — An ex-convict from Oklahoma City, who was arrested by Perkins Police Officer Chris Wooten, has been given a 12-year prison term for trafficking fentanyl — two months after serving less than half of a 10-year sentence for possessing heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine with intent to distribute in Cleveland County in 2018.
Kevin Ross Eldridge, 33, was advised by the judge that on his completion of the Bill Johnson Drug Offender Work Camp, the balance of his sentence would be suspended, as part of a plea agreement with the prosecution approved in court on Oct. 1.
Eldridge, who pleaded guilty on Oct. 1 to the fentanyl charge as well as misdemeanor counts of possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, was ordered by Payne County Associate District Judge Michael Kulling to undergo random drug tests, provide a DNA sample and enroll in Work Force Oklahoma when he is released from prison to probation.
Eldridge had been arrested at 2:02 am on April 11, about 90 minutes after the Perkins officer saw a Nissan sedan at Main and Thomas Street with no tag light illuminating — that turned out to be a paper tag displaying Feb. 26, 2024, an affidavit said.
“Eldridge advised he had bought this vehicle from a guy named Joshua about two weeks ago and was not sure why there was a temporary used dealer paper tag on the vehicle. I observed Eldridge to have nervous behavior while speaking with him, as he was explaining the situation of why he did not have any paperwork or bill of sale on purchasing the vehicle,” the Perkins officer wrote in his affidavit.
“I contacted the temporary paper tag dealer through telephone. (He) advised that Joshua had recently worked for him and was known to misuse the temporary tags from his (auto sales) business. (He) confirmed the temporary tag on this vehicle was not issued to it and not valid.
“During the (vehicle’s) inventory, I located a McDonald’s bag in the center area back floorboard. Inside the bag I located a clear baggy with several blue pills with imprint M on one side and 30 on the other, a clear baggy with crystal-like rocks, a clear baggy with one white pill with imprint G3722, and a clear glass smoking device.
“Based on my training and experience, I know blue M30 pills to contain fentanyl and the white pill to be Xanax,” according to the Perkins officer, who said neither Eldridge nor his female passenger claimed ownership of the drugs.
Perkins Police Sgt. Spencer Gedon field-tested the crystal-like rocks that showed positive for methamphetamine, the affidavit said. Eldridge’s female passenger, who allegedly said she had a methamphetamine pipe in her bra, was charged only with possessing drug paraphernalia after it was retrieved by a female detention officer, court records show.
According to state Department of Corrections records, Eldridge had also been convicted of using an offensive weapon in a felony in Cleveland County in 2018, passing forged instruments in Cleveland County in 2012, acquiring proceeds from drug activity in Oklahoma County in 2011, grand larceny in Oklahoma County in 2012, and possessing stolen property in Oklahoma County in 2012.
