Special Projects Unit makes several arrests

The Special Projects Unit of the Ponca City Police Department has been busy the last few weeks with search warrants, arrests, the seizing of drugs, guns and stolen property. The Patrol Division of the Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office have provided assistance.

What began as a routine traffic stop for following too closely and improper lane change on March 2 led to the arrest of 26-year-old Joshua D. Pursley and his 60-year-old father, Jeff A. Pursley.

Search warrants were obtained for both of their homes. Items seized in the searches include a vehicle, more than $1,600 in cash, a gun and more than one pound of hydro-marijuana.

Joshua Pursley was arrested for being in possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

His father was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 2,000 feet of a park or school, possession of drug proceeds and the use of surveillance equipment during the commission of a felony.

Also arrested at the home of Jeff A. Pursley was 32-year-old Pawel J. Oleinczak, who is charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute within 2,000 feet of a park or school, possession of paraphernalia and possession of drug proceeds.

Thursday afternoon, just after 3 p.m., a search warrant was conducted in the 1300 block of North Fourth Street, the home of 41-year-old Jennifer M. Pearce and 37-year-old Shawn M. Fowler.

Police seized $200 in cash, approximately three-quarters of a pound of marijuana, digital scales, and just over 23 grams of psilocybin mushrooms.

Pearce was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 2,000 feet of a park or school, possession of drug proceeds, possession of a controlled dangerous substance (psilocybin) within 1,000 feet of a park or school and possession of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a park or school.

Fowler was arrested and held for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 2,000 feet of a park or school and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Just after 5:30 a.m. Friday, a search warrant was executed by SPU, along with the Police Department’s Tactical Team, at a residence in the 1200 block of South Thirteenth Street.

Three children were taken into custody by the Department of Human Services.

Two adults, 24-year-old Latrice A. Barnes and 25-year-old Andy G. Flores were arrested. Two 15-year-old males were arrested, too, each charged with possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine. The two juvenile males were released on a promise to appear with the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

A pistol was seized during the search that had been stolen in Oklahoma City. A flat screen television stolen from a recent residential burglary was seized too, along with $500 in cash, a good quantity of marijuana and a small amount of methamphetamine. This home was two blocks from Attucks Park.

Barnes and Flores are being held on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 2,000 feet of a park or school, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of drug proceeds, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of stolen property, child endangerment, contributing to the delinquency of minors and maintaining a dwelling where drugs are sold.