Routine Traffic Stop Results In Drug Arrests

Two people are now facing more than 49 years in prison after a routine traffic stop resulted with them being charged with four severe drug charges.

Goodwell Police observed a white Volkswagen Beetle traveling 49 mph in a 40 mph speed zone on May 9, 2010. The car’s driver, Kellie R. Strickland, 40, was pulled over and taken to the patrol car when she became suspicious and extremely shaky. According to a report in the Guymon Daily Herald, Strickland was uneasy answering simple questions and was visibly shaking.

The police officer then issued a warning to Strickland and went to question the passenger, 28-year-old Michael A. Bryant. A slight odor of marijuana was allegedly smelt coming from the car. Goodwell Police then asked if weapons, alcohol, drugs or narcotics were located in the car. Strickland answered no to all the questions and then granted permission to search the vehicle.

Bryant, then denied the officer’s request to search the vehicle. The officer then advised Strickland and Bryant that a K-9 would have to be dispatched to screen the vehicle. Strickland was then asked how much marijuana was in the vehicle. She indicated that there was “twenty pounds” in the vehicle, said the affidavit for probable cause.

A duffle bag was then located with ten vacuum sealed bags of marijuana weighing 24 pounds, eight ounces. Inside one of the bags, a separate cellophane bag was found holding 28 grams of cocaine.

Strickland and Bryant are being charged with four felony charges of Trafficking in an Illegal Drug, Cocaine, within 2000 Ft. of a School or Park, Unlawful Possession of a Drug, Marijuana, with Intent to Distribute within 2000 Ft. of a School or Park, Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking in an Illegal Drug, Cocaine and Marijuana, within 200 ft. of a School or Park, with the Intent to Distribute and Possession of CDS without Tax Stamp Affixed.

They both remain at the Texas County Detention Center. Strickland is there on a $150,000 bond and Bryant is on a $250,000 bond.