A 33-year-old Elk City man is being held on a $50,000 bond in the Beckham County Detention Center after being charged with possession of a synthetic controlled substance with the intent to distribute and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
The two charges against Asa James Royse were filed in the Beckham County District Court on February 7.
The investigation reportedly began at approximately 9:37 am on February 5 when Elk City Police Department officers were dispatched to a home on the 100 block of Shell Boulevard after a report of squatters.
The homeowner had reportedly stated that he had heard that two people were illegally squatting in his home.
After confirming that the reporting party was on the utilities, an ECPD attempted to make contact at the home’s front door.
The officer reportedly knocked on the front door while announcing himself. He then attempted to make contact at a side door while looking for the alleged squatters.
The officer stated that, as he opened a side door, he was “greeted by two dogs making aggressive moves and barking at me.”
The officer reportedly deployed pepper spray while announcing police presence.
The officer was allegedly greeted by a female, who reportedly claimed that she had permission to be at the residence and could show the offi cer mail she received at the address.
She also reportedly stated that she was in the house alone.
As two officers escorted her to find the mail, they reportedly heard a male voice coming from one of the rooms.
When the officer asked the woman why she was allegedly untruthful about being alone, she reportedly said she forgot the man was there because she was “half asleep.
The man was identified as Royse.
The officer reportedly observed drug paraphernalia in plain view.
Officers also reportedly found multiple baggies of alleged methamphetamine.
