Broken tail light leads to drug arrest
Staff writer
Being pulled over for driving US-77 with a broken tail light led to two people being arrested Nov. 1 on suspicion of drug and other charges.
When the car was searched, passenger Justin W. Fuqua, 51, Cottonwood Falls, had 10.5 grams of methamphetamine, about 105 typical doses, in his possession, Burns police chief Joel Womochil said.
Womochil said Fuqua attempted to throw a methamphetamine pipe into a ditch but was stopped by a wrist strap.
Fuqua was arrested on suspicion of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement for trying to throw away the pipe, and having no drug tax stamp.
As Fuqua was booked into jail, methamphetamine was found in his boot, Womochil said. An additional count of trafficking drugs in a correctional facility was added.
Fuqua was released Nov. 2 after posting a $7,500 surety bond.
Driver Ashley T. Slifer, 38, Elmdale, was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property and driving a vehicle with a license tag not assigned to it. The tag on the car was stolen from Wichita, Womochil said. She was released two hours later.
According to court records, Fuqua has faced drug charges numerous times.
In 2006, he was convicted in Marion County of possession of anhydrous ammonia to make methamphetamine and two counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer. A third count of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and a count of theft were dismissed.
He also has been convicted in Marion County of driving without insurance.
In 2004, he was convicted in Lyons County of two counts of possession of opiates and possession of drug paraphernalia. Charges of attempted manufacture of methamphetamine and possession of ephedrine as a precursor to manufacture of methamphetamine were dismissed.
Court records also show numerous debt collections, unpaid tax cases, and traffic offenses in Lyon County.