CASPER — A 53-year-old Casper man faces six felony drug charges and two misdemeanors after allegedly trying to flush his stash of drugs down his toilet as Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation agents knocked at his door.
Tyrone “T-Bone” Jackson appeared in Casper Circuit Court before Judge Kevin Taheri by video for his initial appearance Thursday. He was brought before the camera in a wheelchair.
Taheri advised Jackson of his charges, which include one count of delivery of controlled substance involving meth; three counts of possession of a controlled substance involving meth, fentanyl, and cocaine; one count of possession of methamphetamine, felony weight; one count of possession of fentanyl, felony weight; and two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance involving cocaine and marijuana.
Court records show DCI agents arrested Jackson Monday following a search warrant for his residence on CY Avenue in Casper.
“Agents arrived … knocked and announced themselves. Jackson was inside the residence and did not comply with agents’ clear and concise verbal commands to open the door so they could serve a search warrant,” the arrest affidavit states. “Upon entering the apartment, agents found Jackson in the bathroom of the apartment attempting to flush baggies with a white substance down the toilet.”
The affidavit states that Jackson was unsuccessful in his attempts to flush the material and was arrested.
‘T-Bone’ Nickname
The affidavit states that a confidential informant identified Jackson, nicknamed “T-Bone,” as someone known to sell controlled substances, particularly meth and fentanyl. He was also known to redistribute them from his apartment to other “known and unknown co-conspirators.”
The informant made a controlled buy of meth from Jackson in August, according to the affidavit. Jackson allegedly told the informant he “did not currently have any fentanyl pills to sell but was actively attempting to obtain some to sell.”
Following the search of Jackson’s apartment, the arrest affidavit states agents found 28.6 grams of meth, 6.1 grams of fentanyl, 2.6 grams of cocaine base (crack), 2.1 grams of cocaine and 1.1 grams of marijuana. Agents found some of the substances broken down and packaged for resale.
Portions of the meth were hidden in an Aleve bottle and another pill bottle with Jackson’s name on the label, the affidavit states.
The affidavit states that agents also found various drug paraphernalia in the apartment.
The delivery of a controlled substance charge and two of the possession of a controlled substance charges involving meth and fentanyl carry penalties of 20 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine. One count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver involving cocaine carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 fine.
Both the possession of methamphetamine and possession of fentanyl, felony weight charges — or more than 3 grams — carry a potential penalty of up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine. The two misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance involving cocaine and marijuana carry potential penalties of up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine or both.
Natrona County Assistant District Attorney Maradi Choma listed several previous convictions on felony drug charges for Jackson in recent years and asked for $50,000 cash or surety bond.
Jackson told the judge that he had mitigating circumstances.
“My health is bad, I went to the hospital yesterday,” he said. “I have a lot of health issues.”
Judge Taheri told him that health issues were not something he could consider. He agreed with Choma and set bond at $50,000 cash or surety.
Jackson remains in the Natrona County jail.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
