Danny J Hopkins Jr
By Patti Weaver
(Stillwater, Okla.) — An ex-convict from Cushing, who admitted trafficking $11,500 worth of methamphetamine in Stillwater, was unsuccessful in his attempt to withdraw his guilty plea in the case after he was sentenced to 30 years in prison by District Judge Phillip Corley.
Danny Joe Hopkins Jr., 39, had pleaded guilty to aggravated methamphetamine trafficking without an agreement with the prosecution regarding his penalty, court records show. The judge denied his motion to withdraw his guilty plea on Dec. 8 and ordered Hopkins returned to jail.
Stillwater Police Detective Brett Moore wrote in an affidavit that at 1:30 pm on Oct. 8, 2021, “Payne County Deputy Nack contacted me advising he observed Danny Hopkins Jr. at the marijuana shop near 6th and Burdick.
“Deputy Nack stated Danny was driving a white Ford F-150 and observed an individual exit the marijuana dispensary and place an item in the driver’s side of the vehicle. Deputy Nack informed me Danny had a suspended Oklahoma driver’s license.
“After arriving at the location, I observed the vehicle leaving westbound through the alley behind the dispensary. I attempted to catch up to the vehicle, at which time Deputy Nack stopped the vehicle at 5th and Arrington.
“While speaking to Danny, I could smell an overwhelming odor of marijuana emitting from within the vehicle,” which had a marijuana container in the center console, the Stillwater detective wrote in his affidavit.
“I asked Danny if he had a medical marijuana card. Danny stated he did not. I asked Danny if he had just purchased marijuana from the dispensary. Danny stated he had and continued to state there was approximately 1/8 ounce inside the vehicle.
“Due to Danny not having a marijuana card and admitting to the marijuana inside the vehicle, I opened the driver’s door to retrieve the marijuana As I opened the door, I observed a plastic bag containing methamphetamine in the driver’s door panel of the vehicle,” the Stillwater detective wrote in his affidavit.
After telling Hopkins he was under arrest, the Stillwater detective said, “I began searching the engine compartment of the vehicle and immediately observed an ammo can in the natural void between the grill and radiator. I opened the ammo can and observed a large quantity of methamphetamine wrapped in cellophane.
“I continued my search of the vehicle and located a handwritten drug sale ledger in the back seat of the vehicle.”
The total weight of the methamphetamine seized from the vehicle was 2.8 pounds, which is substantially more than the 20 grams required for a drug trafficking charge, the affidavit said. “This carries an approximate street value of $11,500.
“Danny has numerous felony convictions of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Danny was just released from prison,” in February of 2021, the affidavit said.
