Cherokee man charged as felon in possession of firearm

A Cherokee man’s night went from bad to worse after a wreck in July of 2023. Evidence from that event then led to a felony charge filed April 2, 2024, in Alfalfa County.

Court records show on July 31, 2023, at about 8:30 p.m. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Kris Franta was dispatched to Greer Road and County Road 550 for a single vehicle rollover accident. Upon arrival he observed a tan Chevrolet pickup, registered to Trista Taylor, had exited the north side of Greer Road traveling approximately 200 feet in the northbound ditch before striking a bridge guard rail. The pickup then rode across the guardrail before coming to rest overturned and partially in the creek bed. Franta was advised by dispatch the driver had left the scene and was now at Share Medical Center in Alva.

Franta went to Share Medical and spoke with Robert Taylor and his wife Trista Taylor. Robert Taylor said he left work in Alva at 7 p.m. and fell asleep while driving home to Cherokee. He stated he had just finished working a 12-hour shift at Share Convalescent Home in Alva. Taylor said he crashed his pickup at about 7:35 p.m. He was picked up at the scene by a coworker shortly after the crash.

Before they arrived at the hospital, the coworker’s vehicle broke down. The wife of the coworker picked up both individuals and took them to Shepherd’s in Alva where Robert Taylor met his wife who took him to Share Medical Center.

Taylor was issued citations for operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license and inattentive driving resulting in a collision. Taylor was released on his own recognizance and instructed to contact the Alfalfa County District Attorney’s office. He was treated and released by Share Medical.

Later in the night, Trooper Franta was contacted by Trooper Randy McCullough who stayed with the pickup until a wrecker arrived. McCullough performed an inventory on the pickup. He stated during the inventory that he found a Ruger pistol. A magazine with 12 hollow point Hornady rounds was in the magazine well of the firearm. The firearm was located next to the driver’s seat. Another magazine for the firearm, loaded with 14 full metal jacket rounds, was also found in the pickup.

Franta took possession of the pistol and magazines, and they were entered into evidence at the Alfalfa County Sheriff’s office. A records check of Taylor shows he was convicted of a felony on Sept. 24, 2014, in Woods County.

On April 2, Robert Marion Taylor, 49, of Cherokee, was charged with possession of firearm after former felony conviction, a felony. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for one to ten years.

 

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