Parking Violation Evolves into Arrests, Drugs & a Firearm
A Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputy contacted two males for what initially appeared to be a minor parking violation. During the contact and subsequent investigation, both were arrested and a search warrant obtained, leading to the seizure of drugs, paraphernalia and a 9mm pistol.
On May 25, 2018, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stan Kravtsov observed a vehicle parked on the wrong side of Atlantic near Houston.
Deputy Kravtsov contacted the two males seated inside the vehicle and identified the driver as 32-year-old Ryan L. Olson. A check of Olson’s driving status revealed he was suspended.
Initially, the passenger provided a false name and date of birth, but later admitted he lied because he knew he had a warrant for his arrest. He was identified as 29-year-old Anthony D. Barton and a Washington State Department of Corrections felony warrant (original charge of possession of a controlled substance) for his arrest was located.
Olson was arrested for driving while suspended and Barton was arrested for the felony warrant. During an impound inventory search of the vehicle, Deputy Kravtsov observed a backpack, boxes, garbage and drug paraphernalia. Glancing under the driver’s seat, he observed a black semiautomatic pistol protruding from the front portion of the driver’s seat and the search was stopped.
Olson denied any knowledge of the weapon and denied consent to search and retrieve the weapon. Noting the pistol and what appeared to be drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, Deputy Kravtsov applied for, and was granted, a search warrant.
During the search, an unloaded Sig Sauer 9mm pistol was recovered from under the front seat. Deputy Kravtsov also located methamphetamine, scales and a glass pipe packed in a pouch located in the center console. In addition, a small amount of heroin was located in a cigarette box Barton had in his possession prior to his arrest. A check of the firearm’s serial number showed it had not been reported as stolen.
Olson again denied any knowledge of the pistol located under the driver’s seat. A criminal history check showed Olson has multiple felony convictions and was precluded from possessing a firearm.
Olson and Barton were transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail.
The substances were later field tested and showed a presumptive positive result for Methamphetamine and Heroin.
Olson was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Driving while Suspended.
Barton was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Making False Statements and the felony warrant.