Man Charged In Meth Case In Texas County

According to a story in the Guymon Daily Herald, a Missouri man is being held at the Texas County Detention Center on several drug charges for an incident nearly two months ago.

Eric Dewayne Bethel, 38, was taken into custody on July 10 after being charged with four drug counts in Texas County on May 20. He is being charged with three felony counts– conspiracy to traffic illegal drugs, possession of CDS (methamphetamine) with intent and possession of drug proceeds. He is also being charged with one misdemeanor– possession of paraphernalia.

The arrest of Bethel stems from the recent arrest of Brian L. Masoner, 32, of Blue Springs, Mo. Masoner was arrested after he was stopped for a lane violation on May 19, 2009, near Goodwell, Okla.

According to the Probable Cause (PC) Affidavit filed at the Texas County Court Clerk’s Office, Bethel was a passenger in Masoner’s 1997 Toyota Avalon when it was pulled over by an agent with the District One Task Force. After the agent discovered that neither men had a valid driver’s license, but instead had Missouri issued identification cards, he contacted another agent to utilize his K-9 on a vehicle screen of the stopped vehicle.

The dog then made positive identification for the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. The vehicle and suspects were then searched and a camera case containing three baggies of white crystal powder, baggies, scales, a glass pipe and a small tin that contained the white crystals was discovered. The white crystal substance was later tested and it yielded a positive response for methamphetamine. Also found, was approximately $11,000 in U.S. currency in a false compartment that had been built between the trunk and back seat.

Both subjects, including Bethel, were transported back to the District One Task Force Headquarters where they were interviewed. During the interview, Masoner said that he was making the trip with Bethel to Phoenix, Ariz., in exchange for methamphetamine. The plan was for the two to drive to Ariz. to deliver the car and then get directions to pick up a second vehicle to be delivered to Kansas City, Mo. Bethel stated that the vehicle they would be delivering to Kansas City would be a red Chrysler Sebring that contained approximately 20-30 pounds of crystal methamphetamine.

Also, Bethel stated that he was aware of the money located in the vehicle, but was unaware of the amount of the exact location.

Bethel is currently being held on a $350,000 bond.