Sheriff's Reports 12-18-24: Several arrested for public drunkenness

Two men were arrested after deputies responded to reports of a disturbance.

On Dec. 14, Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Cohen was dispatched to Keeler Drive due to a disturbance wherein people were in the road drinking alcohol and the sound of gunshots were reported. Deputies made contact with three individuals, who denied having a weapon but admitted to consuming alcohol. Deputies asked for identification and the group reportedly became agitated and said they didn't need to provide anything since they were on their property drinking. The men allegedly refused to give their names. According to the deputy's report, Russell Barnes went inside the residence after he was told not to, but came back outside. Barnes was about to go back in the residence when deputies tried to detain him. Bobby Roddy Jr. grabbed Deputy Jaxon Thomlinson's arms and pushed him to the side. Deputies were able to get Roddy on the ground and Cohen drew his Taser at Barnes, who was turning toward the door of the residence. Barnes was ordered to get on the ground and he complied. Barnes was booked for public intoxication, resisting arrest, and obstruction. Roddy was booked for public intoxication, resisting arrest, obstruction, and assault and battery on a police officer.

Deputy Thomlinson was assisting K-9 Deputy Austin Carver on a traffic stop at the Hulbert Fire Station Dec. 15 and was advised the driver failed to maintain lanes and admitted to consuming at least two beers. Thomlinson met with the driver, who was identified as Hernan Apreza. The man was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence after a field sobriety test. He agreed to a breath test; however, the Tahlequah Police Department didn't have an intoxilyzer operator available. Apreza refused to submit to a blood test and was booked for driving under the influence.

On Dec. 7, Deputy Cohen was eastbound on State Highway 51 when he observed a truck with a cracked and defective taillight. Cohen conducted a traffic stop and met with the driver, Ezequiel Munoz. The man didn't have a driver's license and was arrested for the offense. Munoz was booked for defective equipment and driving without a license.

Deputy Cohen was called to a residence on Keeler Drive Dec. 16 for reports of a burglary in progress. The caller stated someone was trying to break into the residence. Cohen arrived and met with a woman who said, "He left and went walking toward the trail." The deputy didn't notice any marks or damages to the door and left to look for the suspect. Cohen noticed other deputies near a tree line and was advised that someone was lying down in the brush, in front of a trailer. Cohen observed Joshua Mouse lying in the weeds and drew his service weapon. He ordered the man to show both hands before detaining Mouse. The man said he consumed alcohol and was arrested for public intoxication.

These are arrests, not convictions.