By Travis Uresk Onenationjustice
9/15/23
Vernal, Ut.- On 9/10/23, Officer McGaha was traveling West on 500 North to 500 West when he observed a red truck turn from Vernal Ave. to 500 North; as the vehicle traveled in front of the Officer, he watched the truck swerve in the lane from left to right crossing over the center line of the roadway.
A traffic stop was initiated at 500 North and 500 West. The Officer approached the driver, who was identified as 40-year-old Michael James Hansen, by word of mouth. He said his license was suspended, and was looking for the insurance. Two passengers were inside the vehicle, and the Officer asked to see their IDs, which they willfully provided.
26-year-old Christian Chace Buckmaster was in the front passenger seat, and 24-year-old Madison Jade Jones was in the rear passenger seat.
Officer McGaha observed Madison's eyes were pinpointed and glossy during the nighttime. This is conducive to opiate use. Madison stated she smoked methamphetamine earlier in the day, and Christian said he had smoked marijuana earlier.
Officer McGaha asked 40-year-old Michael if he could have consent to search the vehicle, and he verbally stated the Officer could search and there was nothing inside the vehicle.
Madison was asked if the Officer could search her property, and she said he could. She said she was on probation.
Officer McGaha asked Buckmaster if he could search his property inside the vehicle, and he stated, "Not really." Buckmaster said he had a black backpack in the front of the vehicle. The backpack was placed on the hood of the vehicle, and when Buckmaster got out of the vehicle, his pockets were empty and turned inside out as they had already been searched.
All three occupants were asked out of the vehicle, and a terry frisk was performed on each of them. No weapons were found.
While searching Madison's purse, inside a wallet was some tinfoil with methamphetamine inside. Jones stated she had forgotten about the meth. She was asked if there was anything else, and she paused for a minute and said there were some "Blues" (Fentanyl Pills).
Madison Jones was placed into custody for Possession of methamphetamine.
At the patrol vehicle, Madison told Deputy Ogle there were some blue M30 Fentanyl pills in a battery in the driver compartment. She also had methamphetamine in her bra, which was later removed at the Uintah County Jail with a female Deputy present.
Officer McGaha found a fake battery in the center console within reach of all three occupants. This fake battery contained eight blue M30 Fentanyl pills. The male occupants were read their Miranda Rights. Hansen and Buckmaster stated they were not his. Buckmaster stated he had smoked Fentanyl pills earlier.
A burnt tooter straw was located on the driver’s side floorboard where Hansen was seated.
The vehicle was released to the registered owner, S. Hansen. She stated Michael was with drug court and was out past his curfew.
Both parole agents were contacted, and they stated they wanted a 72-hour hold on Hansen and Jones.
Officer McGaha had dispatch run a criminal history check on all parties. All three are convicted felons with various prior drug convictions within the last seven years. Each person was advised of their charges. Due to the battery being in a central location, each person was charged with having the pills since no one claimed Possession.
Each person was searched incident to arrest by the respective Officer/Deputy who transported them.
Deputy Ogle transported Madison Jones to the UCSO Jail, where she was booked on Possession of a Controlled Substance Meth 58-37-8(2)(B)(II), Possession of a Controlled Substance Synthetic 58-37-8(2)(B)(II), and Possession of Paraphernalia 58-37a-5(1). Both charges of Possession of a Controlled substance have been upgraded to Felony 3rd Degree due to prior convictions.
Deputy K Russell transported Michael Hansen to the UCSO Jail, where he was booked on Possession of a Controlled Substance Synthetic 58-37-8(2)(B)(II), Possession of Paraphernalia 58-37a-5(1), and Driving on Suspended or revoked license 53-3-227(1). Both charges of Possession of a Controlled substance have been upgraded to Felony 3rd Degree due to prior convictions.
Officer O'Donnal transported Christian Buckmaster to the UCSO Jail, where he was booked on Possession of a Controlled Substance Synthetic 58-37-8(2)(B)(II) and Possession of Paraphernalia 58-37a-5(1). Both charges of Possession of a Controlled substance have been upgraded to Felony 3rd Degree due to prior convictions.
Officer McGaha requested a search warrant for Buckmaster's backpack since there were multiple illegal narcotics located. The search warrant was approved, served, and returned completed on scene.
Officer McGaha talked to Deputy Russell, and we agreed to request a level 2 body search of Jones. This is due to generally females are generally used to conceal property for other people inside their body cavities.
In the backpack, a black scale was located. It had a cover on the scale, and white residue was on the scale. There was a calibration weight with the scale. Both items were listed on the return of service. There was also an entire roll of tin foil in the backpack.
Officer McGaha departed the scene and arrived at the jail. Upon arrival, I interviewed each party. I read each of their Miranda rights before asking questions. Both Hansen and Jones stated Buckmaster had the Fentanyl Pills in his Possession and watched him place them into the fake battery but were unclear exactly where it was.
Buckmaster stated he did not want to talk to the Officer at this time since he was tired and not feeling well.
AP&P provided a 72-hour hold for Hansen and Jones.
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