(Stillwater, Okla.) – After a search warrant was served at a Cushing apartment by nine officers, two women were jailed on $100,000 bail each on charges of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, as well as having drug paraphernalia described as digital scales and a glass methamphetamine smoking pipe.
Both women, ex-convict Kathy Anne Hale, 65, of Cushing, and Fleeta Anna Courtright, 41, whose address was not listed, remain held pending their arraignments in court with attorneys on Thursday, a jail spokesman told KUSH this morning.
Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics agent Chad Johnson obtained a search warrant that was served at 11:05 a.m. on Aug. 29 at the Cushing Place Apartments by OBN, OSBI, and Payne County Sheriff’s Department officers along with Cushing Police Chief Tully Folden, court records show.
“Upon knocking on the door and announcing ‘Police, Search Warrant,’ two times and waiting an additional six seconds after the last announcement, we utilized a ‘ram’ and made entry into Apartment 28B,” at 205 Quail Creek Drive, OBN agent Johnson alleged in his affidavit.
Hale, who has also been known by the surname Vassar, and Courtright were getting up from a dining room table when they were ordered onto the floor, the affidavit alleged.
A bank coin-style purse lying on top of trash in the trash can had a plastic baggy containing smaller baggies, as well as one with methamphetamine, the affidavit alleged.
Both women said they had no knowledge of the methamphetamine, according to the OBN agent’s affidavit.
In a kitchen cabinet area, “I observed and photographed a glass smoking device, torch-style lighter, (and) working digital scales with weights,” the OBN agent alleged in his affidavit.
Items seized from the apartment included two cell phones, a glass jar with an unknown liquid, a purse with baggies, spoon and digital scales taped to the inside of an electrical box, a book with the center of pages cut out, syringes, a camcorder, a laptop computer, five smoking pipes, and a credit card offer with the name and address of Vassar, the affidavit alleged.
Due to her three prior drug convictions in Payne County, Hale, who was released from prison four and one-half years ago, could be imprisoned for 10 years to life if convicted of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Hale could receive a one-year jail term if convicted of possessing drug paraphernalia.
Since she was not accused of having prior felony convictions, Courtright could be imprisoned for five years to life if convicted of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Courtright could also be given a one-year jail term if convicted of possessing drug paraphernalia.
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