According to a Howe Police Department press release, Officer Robert Todd stopped 26-year-old Jermell T. Askin of Atoka for a defective license plate light as he was driving northbound on US Highway 75 near Haning Street around 11:00 pm on Sunday, January 18. Officer Todd reported that when he met with Askin, he smelled the odor of fresh burnt marijuana coming from inside Askin’s car. Askin reportedly told the officer he and some friends had smoked marijuana in the car earlier. Officer Todd searched Askin’s car and found a pound of marijuana, an ounce of methamphetamine, an ounce of crack cocaine, and a loaded Glock 9mm pistol in the dash compartment above the glove box. Askin was arrested on two first degree felony charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, a State Jail Felony of Possession of Marijuana over four ounces, and a Class A Misdemeanor charge of Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon. Howe Police Chief Carl Hudman reported that the arrest led to the seizure of Askin’s 1978 Buick, the Glock pistol, and $194.00 in cash and that civil forfeiture will be sought on those items.
