Little Sahara sands cut man's trip short
July 16, 2017
An Enid man’s road trip to New Mexico was cut short by a trip to jail. He apparently got his vehicle stuck in sand at Little Sahara State Park at Waynoka and is now facing three misdemeanor charges in Woods County.
Bryan Joseph Starkey, 41, of Enid is charged with (1) possession of controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), (2) unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and (3) contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Each of the crimes carries a penalty of up to one year of imprisonment or a fine up to $1,000 or both.
According to court records, on Thursday, July 6, about 9:55 p.m. Park Ranger Nathan Rackley was notified by Waynoka Police Officer Misty Smiley that two men were trying to flag down cars in front of the park’s south gate entrance along U.S. Highway 281. Rackley arrived to find a red Chrysler stuck in the sand and blocking the entrance to the dune riding area.
Rackley spoke with Starkey who said he and his juvenile friend D.G. were on a road trip to New Mexico from the Enid area and decided to go to Little Sahara. Asked why he had driven into the sand, Starkey said he didn’t realize it was sand. Starkey told Rackley he and his friend were going to New Mexico to get away from all the drama in Enid. Rackley asked if D.G.’s family knew he was gone, and Starkey said, “Probably not.”
Rackley notes in the report that during the conversation he observed that Starkey had slowed and slurred speech. He asked Starkey if he had anything to drink or had taken any drugs, specifically marijuana. Rackley states that Starkey told him he smoked some “weed,” and there might still be some in the car. Rackley also asked how much the juvenile had to smoke. Starkey said they smoked maybe two or three “blunts” passing them back and forth.
Rackley confirmed with D.G. that he had smoked marijuana. D.G. said his family did not know where he was.
Rackley and Smiley searched the vehicle, finding rolling papers and a half-smoked marijuana cigarette under the seat. In the glove compartment they found a container with four unsmoked marijuana cigarettes and more rolling papers. An ash tray in the middle console contained a small amount of a green leafy substance.
Rackley placed Starkey under arrest. He was taken to the Woods County Jail.
Rackley questioned D.G. about having a legal guardian pick him up. D.G. told him, “I don’t know if my grandma will pick me up. She said if I leave to not ever come back.” He said he lived with his grandmother who had adopted him.
Rackley called the juvenile’s mother after obtaining her phone number from him. The mother arrived the next morning.
Reader Comments(0)