By Patti Weaver
(Stillwater, Okla.) — A Perry woman jailed on $100,000 bail has been ordered to stand trial on felony charges of trafficking fentanyl, possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and having a pistol during the commission of a drug crime in Stillwater.
Ashley Danchel Rice, 30, who has also been known by the surname of Burgess, waived her right to a preliminary hearing last week. She was ordered to appear before Payne County Associate District Judge Michael Kulling on May 16 for trial court arraignment on the three-count charge punishable on conviction of up to life in prison plus 17 years.
Stillwater Police Officer Josh Carson alleged in an affidavit that when he interviewed her in jail, “Ashley told me she is selling approximately 500 fentanyl pills a week in Stillwater. Ashley stated she keeps the gun for protection.
“A total of 3 grams of fentanyl was seized and a total of 10.08 grams of methamphetamine was seized,” during a traffic stop of her car in the 4900 block of S. Perkins Road in Stillwater at 3:50 pm on April 11.
“During processing, I located a drug ledger with known names of local addicts and monetary amounts beside their names. It is extremely common for drug dealers to keep track of their sales using ledgers,” the officer alleged in his affidavit.
When a passenger, who was charged with misdemeanor drug possession, had exited the car during the traffic stop, “I observed enormous amounts of tin foil with black residue on them hidden under the center console. I know tin foil is used to ‘hot rail’ fentanyl pills by placing the pills onto the foil and applying heat to the foil and inhaling the fumes.
“This is the most common way to ingest fentanyl pills. I also observed one blue M30 fentanyl pill lying near the rocker panel on the passenger side of the Buick.
“I know these pills upon sight due to their color, the M30 imprint, and their ragged and un-uniformed appearance.
“These pills are common and are plaguing the city of Stillwater.
“I have known Ashley most of my career and know she is heavily involved in the distribution of fentanyl.
“Over the past month, I have received numerous tips Ashley has been selling large amounts of pressed fentanyl pills in the city of Stillwater,” the officer alleged in his affidavit.
