A Cherokee man is facing two felony drug charges after law enforcement arranged monitored purchases by a confidential informant.

Sjon Tomas White, 62, of Cherokee, is charged with two counts of distributing a controlled dangerous substance within 2,000 feet of a school. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for ten years to life and a fine of up to $40,000.

According to court documents, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Agent Brandon Powell made arrangements with a confidential informant to make purchases from White at his home, which is located approximately 220 feet from the Cherokee High School. In each case, the informant was provided with money for the purchase and equipped with an audio transmitting device.

Powell and other law enforcement officers observed from a nearby location in an unmarked vehicle while listening to the transaction. When the informant returned, the purchases were weighed and secured in a safe until being sent to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation lab for analysis.

The first purchase was made on March 5 for $150, and the informant returned with two baggies of a crystalline substance weighing a total of approximately 3.0 grams.

The second purchase was made on March 27 for $100, and the informant returned with one baggie that was weighed at approximately 1.5 grams.

On April 2, the purported methamphetamine purchased from White was submitted to the OSBI lab in Enid for analysis.

On May 31, Agent Powell received a report from the OSBI lab showing the first purchases weighed 1.58 grams and 1.23 grams and tested positive for methamphetamine. The second purchase also tested positive for methamphetamine and had a gross weight of 0.99 grams.

The charges were filed on Sept. 4, and White appeared in court on Sept. 6 where charges were read and bond was set at $10,000. He has posted bond. His next appearance has been set for Oct. 9.