Mara McCutchen
(PCSD file photo)
By Patti Weaver
(Stillwater, Okla.) — A 19-year-old Perkins woman accused of trafficking fentanyl and possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute has been jailed on $100,000 bail pending an April 15 preliminary hearing on the drug charges punishable on conviction by up to life in prison plus seven years and a $300,000 fine.
Mara Michelle McCutchen was driving a maroon Nissan SUV with her 4-year-old child in the back seat when Stillwater Police Officer Adam Elliott conducted a traffic stop on her vehicle in the 1200 block of N. Boomer Road at about 1 pm on Feb. 23, according to his affidavit.
Stillwater Police Detectives Josh Carson and Brett Moore had just driven through the Remington Ranch apartment complex at 1815 N. Boomer Road when they saw a suspected hand-to-hand drug transaction between the driver of a maroon Nissan SUV and a man known to be involved in the use and distribution of drugs, the affidavit alleged.
“Upon seeing this, we began surveillance of the apartment complex exits. Within a short time, the maroon Nissan SUV left the complex,” with the driver not wearing a seatbelt and having a non-working middle brake light, Officer Elliott alleged in his affidavit.
When the SUV stopped, “Mara admitted to just leaving the apartment complex, but was unable to tell me which apartment. As I spoke with her, I could see that she was nervous. Her hands were shaking, she was breathing deeply, and seemed to be unable to focus.
“I had her exit the vehicle with her child so I could conduct a free air examination with my state certified K9, Rotex,” who indicated the presence of the odor of drugs coming from inside the vehicle, Officer Elliott alleged in his affidavit.
“Inside the vehicle, we located approximately 10.18 grams of fentanyl (pressed into blue pills marked M30), approximately 18 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales with drug residue, multiple unused zipper top baggies and additional items of drug paraphernalia,” Officer Elliott alleged in his affidavit.
After McCutchen was arrested, “DHS was contacted while on scene and advised the child could be released to the father,” who arrived and took custody of his child and the vehicle, the affidavit alleged.
During a jail interview with McCutchen, “She stated she does not use fentanyl, but has been selling it for approximately three weeks. She has been making trips to Oklahoma City to purchase the drugs, then brings them back to Stillwater to sell. She also claimed this is the first time she has done it with her child present,” the affidavit alleged.
