Published: July 02, 2009 10:58 pm         

Oliver charged with felony drug counts

A 40-year-old Watonga man was arraigned Friday on two felony drug counts in Garfield County District Court.

Troy William Oliver was charged with possession of a substance with intent to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a controlled substance. Oliver also was charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Due to six prior felony convictions, Oliver faces a sentence of 21 years to life on the intent to manufacture charge and six years to life on the possession charge.

The charges stem from a July 22, 2008, fatality accident in which Oliver was a passenger.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Edsall was dispatched to an accident about 6:47 a.m. July 22, 2008, at U.S. 60 and Imo road.

When Edsall arrived on the scene, he smelled a strong odor of anhydrous ammonia, according to the affidavit. Edsall was told by a paramedic the driver of the vehicle, Jason Harvey Booth, 34, had died, and Oliver was being taken to a hospital for treatment, according to an affidavit. Edsall was told by Enid Fire Department a red Igloo cooler of anhydrous ammonia was found in the vehicle.

Edsall went to Integris Bass Baptist Hospital to speak with Oliver about the accident, but Oliver was unable to communicate with him, according to the affidavit.

When Edsall returned to the scene of the accident he was advised by other troopers an active meth lab was found in the vehicle, according to the affidavit.

Troopers also recovered a cellophane bag containing three pills, a syringe containing a liquid, a black zipping plastic bag with a white residue, a cellophane wrapper containing a yellow tablet, 13 empty syringes and “other items consistent with precursors of a meth lab,” the affidavit states.

Oliver is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond and was ordered to return to court Aug. 13 for a bond appearance.