Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Drug Arrest

A Hennessey man faces multiple felony drug charges after a weekend stop in Kingfisher resulted in the seizure of more than 250 grams of methamphetamine.

Ronald Gene Hooley, 51, was arrested Saturday, Feb. 11, and booked into the Kingfisher County Criminal Justice Center by Deputy James McNew.

Hooley was formally charged Wednesday in Kingfisher County District Court with trafficking in illegal drugs and possession with intent to distribute, both felonies.

He was also charged with removing a proper or affixing an improper license plate, which is a misdemeanor.

Bond was set at $50,000 and Hooley remained in the county jail as of Wednesday afternoon, according to Kingfisher County Sheriff Dennis Banther.

According to McNew’s report, he requested dispatch check the registration status of a white Chevy Malibu after it crossed Main Street at the State Highway 33 intersection.

The information said the tag belonged to a dark blue 2004 Ford Explorer, prompting McNew to initiate a stop at 5:43 p.m., the report said.

Once stopped, Hooley told McNew the tag belonged to his daughter and he was driving to Guthrie to help someone work on their vehicle, according to the report.

It went on to say that after further conversation, Hooley gave McNew permission to search the vehicle, during which time Hooley also reportedly said, “there might be a little drugs.”

McNew’s report said Hoooley told McNew the drugs were in a sunglasses case.

McNew reported he found “multiple small zip lock (sic) style bags rolled up and tied off with a string,” which appeared to be brand new. 

He also observed one small plastic bag “with a crystal like substance inside and a sandwich size zip lock (sic) bag with multiple crystal like substances mixed with a white powder like substance,” the report read.

Earlier in the conversation, Hooley told McNew the drugs were for personal use, the report said. 

Upon discovering the new plastic bags, McNew said he asked Hooley if he was going to Guthrie to sell drugs and the response was “yeah,” the report said.

Officer Matthew Hollon of Kingfisher Police Department arrived on the scene to assist about 15 minutes after the initial stop.

McNew’s report said that as he was about to begin a full inventory of Hooley’s vehicle, Hooley told him the remainder of the drugs were in the center console.

The report said McNew retrieved a clear food storage container from the console and inside was “a large crystal like stone.”

Also found in the car, according to the report, was a small digital scale with white residue on it.

Hooley was arrested and taken to the county jail.

Deputy Charles Blackburn arrived on the scene at 6:18 p.m. and field tested the substances. McNew’s report said they tested positive for methamphetamines.

Once back at the sheriff’s office, McNew weighed the contents.

The total weight of the substances and containers was 251 grams with the large stone and container weighing 222 grams, the report said.

It takes 20 grams to allow for a trafficking charge.

Amounts of 200-399 grams carry fines of $50,000 to $500,000.

According to Banther, McNew and Blackburn executed a search warrant on Hooley’s home where more items were seized.

“I want to commend Deputies James McNew and Charles Blackburn in their efforts to rid our communities of methamphetamine,” Banther told the Times & Free Press.

“They worked around the clock until this case was resolved,” Banther continued, noting the two continued the investigation for 25 straight hours. “It takes dedication to be a law enforcement officer and these individuals are setting the standard.”

Hooley’s next scheduled appearance is Feb. 28.