Sequoyah County Sheriff Johnny Philpot said deputies and investigators teamed up with District 27 Drug Task Force agents to serve a search warrant at the home of Michael Choate near Vian. Arrested as a result of the investigation were Michael Dewayne Choate, Trent Littlesnow Fields, and Jimmy Castleberry, all of Vian.
Officers reported finding substances appearing to be methamphetamine and marijuana during the search, along with items of paraphernalia commonly associated with the distribution and use of controlled dangerous substances. Officers also reported finding firearms, and a quantity of a substance resembling methamphetamine strewn across the floor.
Also, a Sequoyah County deputy found items that matched the description of those reported stolen from an area horse training facility within the past month. As a result, a utility trailer and various pieces of horse tack were recovered at the scene.
Philpot stated, "It is common to recover stolen property during the execution of drug warrants these days as the people that are involved in the illegal drug trade use stolen property the same as cash."
Choate, 42, was booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor child, knowingly concealing stolen property, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Choate was released on a $34,000 bond.
Castleberry, 29, was booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, child endangerment, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Castleberry was released on a $11,500 bond.
Fields, 23, was booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on a charge of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Fields was released on a $10,000 bond.
Philpot said more arrests are expected in the case in the future due to the investigation into the stolen property. Officers continued their investigation into the stolen property that was recovered at the scene. Following leads uncovered by the investigation, which continued late into the evening, the officers recovered almost all the property reported stolen in the burglary at the horse training facility.
The officers also recovered a generator reported stolen in Muskogee County.
