Police Reports 11-7-23: two arrested for possessing narcotics within 1,000 feet of high school

Two people were arrested after officers executed a search warrant on a residence near the Tahlequah High School.

On Oct. 23, officers with the Tahlequah Special Emphasis Unit were executing a search warrant on a residence on Earl Street when they breached the front door. Jennifer McLemore was found in the living room while Eric Hodge was in the kitchen. The two individuals were detained as officers cleared the residence. Officers found marijuana and seized a white crystal-like substance that was found in the living room near a cut straw and a glass smoking pipe. A journal that supposedly documented “drug sales and proceeds” was found in a bedroom, in which McLemore told officers was her room. The woman admitted that drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine were inside the residence. McLemore admitted to knowing that narcotics were being sold out of her residence by Hodge and a woman. According to the police reports, McLemore said she usually purchases a “ball” of meth at the beginning of the month for “them to use,” and Hodge purchased the meth that was found inside the residence earlier that day. McLemore was transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center and booked on tribal charges for possession of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school and maintaining a dwelling where drugs were kept and sold. The man refused to answer any questions without an attorney present. Hodge was booked on tribal charges for possession of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

Officer David Trammell was called to First Street Oct. 28 to conduct a welfare check on a woman who sent her sister photos of her bleeding from her mouth. Karl Ballard told the officer that he and the woman got into an altercation and he shoved her to the ground after she pushed him. The woman alleged that Ballard locked her out of a residence and she pushed him after the door was unlocked. She said Ballard shoved her to the ground, which caused her injuries. Ballard was booked for domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor and a warrant.

On Oct. 28, Officer Robert Jones and Lt. Elden Graves responded to reports of a vehicle that crashed into a residence on South Street. A witness said the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed before striking the house. According to Jones, the driver, Dallas Stockton, asked for his name and badge number. Stockton became belligerent with officers as they were about to conduct a field sobriety test. The man allegedly argued that he was being harassed. Stockton said he needed an ambulance because he was injured. He was transported to W.W. Hastings Hospital. The passenger said Stockton began “racing” down Cherokee Avenue and he asked the man to slow down several times. Jones met with Stockton at the hospital and read him the implied consent for blood as the hospital visit could possibly exceed the two-hour window on the breathalyzer test. Jones said Stockton began to argue that he was a tribal citizen and the state of Oklahoma didn’t have jurisdiction over him. Stockton reportedly asked Jones if he was cross-deputized with Cherokee Nation and told him to call Shannon Buhl, director of Cherokee Nation Marshal Service. Jones said Stockton said he worked for Cherokee Nation IT in the administration department. According to the police report Jones wrote, Stockton allegedly stated he consumed whiskey prior to driving. Jones asked the man if he said he consumed whiskey before he drove and Stockton said he didn’t, however; the man then allegedly stated he did drink whiskey. Stockton was booked on tribal charges of driving under the influence and no proof of insurance.

Officer Caleb Murray was dispatched to Circle S Laundry Oct. 24 due to reports of an intoxicated man who refused to leave. The manager pointed toward Robert White, who was charging his phone inside the business. White told the officer he wasn’t “soliciting” and he didn’t have to leave. Murray could smell the odor of alcohol coming from White’s person. White was asked how much alcohol he consumed and he said, “All of it.” The officer searched White and found two opened bottles of vodka in White’s hoodie. White was arrested and booked for public intoxication.

On Oct. 22, Lt. Justin Leatherwood responded to Walmart after a man allegedly failed to pay for $60 worth of merchandise. Carlos Siandua-Tellez was arrested and booked for shoplifting.