Sheriff's Reports 2-14-25: Two arrested after drugs found during traffic stop

Two men were arrested after deputies found what appeared to be meth during a traffic stop for a defective brake light.

On Feb. 8, Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputy Seth Morgan was patrolling the Keys/Park Hill area when he observed a vehicle with a defective brake light. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who was identified as Benjamin Lee Bunch, and the passenger, Heath Allen Roberts. Morgan said Bunch became visibly nervous and began sweating, despite it reportedly being 35 degrees at the time of the traffic stop. Dispatch advised that Roberts had a warrant out of Arkansas and they were willing to place a hold. At the time, Sgt. James Carver said his K-9 deputy alerted on the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and found what appeared to be methamphetamine. Bunch and Roberts were arrested and booked for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Jan. 31, Deputy Austin Carver was on patrol when dispatch advised shots were fired from individuals in a truck. The vehicle was traveling westbound on State Highway 51, toward Tahlequah and Sgt. Nick Chute advised he spotted a truck matching its description near South 543 Road. The driver pulled into the parking lot of a gas station and Carver waited for the vehicle to leave. Carver conducted a traffic stop after the driver allegedly "rolled through" the stop light at Allen Road and State Highway 82 and failed to signal while turning. The driver, Jeffery Slaton, said there was a firearm in the vehicle and stepped out to have Carver remove it from his side. The passenger, Crystal Hiatt, was asked to step out and Carver observed an open bottle of alochol and a pistol on the center console. Slaton said he didn't fire a weapon at anyone; however, Hiatt said a gun did go off in the vehicle. Slaton then said he fired a gun due to a vehicle that rammed the back of his truck. Deputies searched the truck and located multiple glass pipes with residue. A clear baggie and small container were found and its contents tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine. Slaton and Hiatt were arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, trafficking fentanyl, and possession of a firearm while in the commission of a felony.

Deputy Scott Wolff was dispatched to State Highway 51, near Dollar General Feb. 3 due to theft of gravel. A representative for APAC-Central advised he was having issues with people stealing gravel. He said a concerned individual got photos that purportedly showed Jim Dale Hullinger taking loads of gravel. Wolff went to Hullinger's property and made contact with the man. The deputy said Hullinger didn't deny taking the gravel and reportedly claimed he had permission from job site supervisor who he "had conversations with about filling in his unfilled ditch/driveway that he thought was their responsibility." Hullinger was arrested for grand theft or larceny and booked.

On Feb. 3, Lt. Tanner Hendley responded to the Cherokee Nation Casino after security reported that a woman was trespassing. Dispatch advised that Debbie Whitmire was permanently banned from the property and was inside. Hendley met with security officers, who pointed out Whitmire at a slot machine. Whitmire reportedly told Hendley she was aware she was banned and apologized. Whitmire was arrested and booked for trespassing after being forbidden.