The Duncan Banner

Local News

Related Photos

March 10, 2010

Oxycodone crimes

Four young adults arrested for sale of controlled drug

Toni Hopper

Four individuals were arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and distribution, following an investigation conducted by Stephens County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Drug Task Force.

The four, Ashley Brooke Berry, 21, of Duncan; Austin Myles Hlavaty, 20, and Kristopher James Dryden, 26, both of Walters; and Riley Heath Williams, 24, of Comanche; were taken into custody by the sheriff’s office.

They were charged in district court Wednesday with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. The drug was oxycodone, a schedule II narcotic obtainable legally by prescription.

In court the four were given a $5,000 bond and Berry and Williams remained in Stephens County Jail Wednesday.

Two of the four were arrested in the parking lot of a fast food establishment on U.S. Highway 81, at the north end of Marlow by Sheriff Wayne McKinney, Lt. Lawson Guthrie, Corporal Bobby Bowen and Deputy Chris Lemons. Justin Scott, investigator for the DA’s Task Force also was involved in the investigation. They were assisted by Marlow Police Officer Suzanne Moore.

Hlavaty and Dryden were arrested at the scene, but Williams had left in a separate vehicle before the actual arrests could be made, McKinney said. Two others were arrested, but released without charges because they were unaware of the transaction that had just taken place, McKinney said.

Berry was already in custody at the sheriff’s office when the arrests were made.

Williams turned himself in late Tuesday evening, McKinney said.

According to the affidavit, Berry was with a cooperating individual (CI) in an attempt to conduct a controlled purchase of oxycodone.

The CI was provided with $300 in marked bills to buy the drugs from Berry and the pair traveled from Duncan to a business at Marlow at which time the drug exchange was made. The pair then returned to Duncan where Berry was placed in detention. When Dryden was arrested, he had the marked cash in his possession and numerous pills. McKinney said Dryden had two bottles of oxycodone in his possession.

McKinney said this type of crime is becoming a big problem in this county, but it is a crime to sell prescription pills.

All four are scheduled for a preliminary hearing conference at 9 a.m. April 13.



— Toni Hopper is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. She can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 132 or by e-mail at: toni.hopper@duncanbanner.com.

Text Only
Local News