A driver who already has multiple felony convictions faces four new charges after he reportedly led Stroud police on a high speed pursuit and was arrested.
Dustin Don Secrest, 41, of Coweta, was formally charged in Lincoln County District Court March 10 with two felonies and two misdemeanors.
He appeared March 7 before Special Judge Emily Mueller who set his bond at $20,000. She ordered him to return to court for his initial appearance today, March 16.
A passenger in the truck driven by Secrest was arrested for an outstanding warrant and is being held for another county.
Stroud Police Chief Clint Gaylord on Tuesday commented on the pursuit and charges.
“These guys are no strangers to law enforcement officers. Obviously, they haven’t learned anything, they’re a menace to society. They’re still getting caught.
“Hopefully, we can send them back to prison.”
Gaylord added, “Fortunately, the pursuit was at night, the traffic was light and that was the good thing.”
In Count 1, a felony, Secrest is charged with endangering others while eluding/attempting to elude a police officer. He is accused on March 6 of eluding Stroud Police Officer Aaron Keeling by driving at high rates of speed in order to elude the officer and endangering numerous other persons who were using those same streets after he had received a visual and audible signal from Officer Keeling directing him to stop.
Count 2, a felony, charges Secrest with trafficking in illegal drugs, methamphetamine, on March 6 by having in his possession 20 or more grams of methamphetamine, a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
In Count 3, a misdemeanor, Secrest is accused on the same day of possessing Heroin, a CDS.
The fourth count, a misdemeanor, charges him with possession of CDS, marijuana.
Supplemental information filed in the case by the District Attorney shows Secrest has been convicted of at least seven felonies in four different counties.
They include on July 3, 2006 in Tulsa County District Court possession of a firearm after felony conviction; May 12, 2014 in Tulsa County District Court of false pretense over $500 or con game; October 7, 2014, Wagoner County District Court, possession of firearm after felony conviction; May 22, 2015 in Tulsa County, possession of a stolen vehicle; on March 20, 2019, in Muskogee County District Court, eluding or attempting to elude and larceny of an automobile; and on July 23, 2019 in Delaware County, grand larceny.
In a probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Keeling, he states on March 6 he was patrolling in the area of Highway 66 and Graham Road in Stroud when he noticed a vehicle speeding eastbound on Highway 66. He said his radar clocked the vehicle at 85 miles per hour and he turned his vehicle around and began pursuing the Dodge truck, with his emergency lights on, and the truck accelerated its speed.
Keeling reported the truck’s speed got up to 110 miles per hour passing a slower moving vehicle in the middle of a curve causing it to make an evasive move toward the shoulder.
According to the affidavit, the pursuit continued eastbound Highway 66, with the truck driven by Secrest finally slowing down and stopping on the shoulder at around 504th W. Avenue and Highway 66.
Secrest said as stopped his patrol unit he requested backup and shortly after stopping a Creek County Deputy arrived. Stroud Officer Levi Bruder also arrived on the scene a short time later.
Secrest and a passenger in his vehicle, identified as Dustin William Harp, were taken into custody, the passenger having a warrant for his arrest outstanding in Muskogee County.
In searching the truck driven by Secrest, officers reportedly found drugs, a smoking device, pistol, shotgun ammunition and an assortment of other items.
Both Secrest and Harp were transported to the Lincoln County jail.