While awaiting Jan. 22 jury trial
A Vian man who is scheduled for a Jan. 22 jury trial on kidnapping and assault charges from 2022 is now facing drug and firearm charges after a narcotics search warrant was served at his residence on Jan. 2.
Robert C. Ward, 68, is now facing new charges of trafficking in illegal drugs (methamphetamine), use of a firearm while committing a felony, acquire proceeds from drug activity, receive, possess or conceal stolen property, use of surveillance equipment in commission of a felony, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Also charged in the bust was Karen D. Avery, 59, of Sallisaw. She is charged with trafficking in illegal drugs (methamphetamine), felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of firearm in commission of a felony, after former felony conviction.
Both Ward and Avery are being held in the Sequoyah County Detention Center without bond.
According to a press release issued by Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane, deputies and investigators, along with investigators from the Sallisaw Police Department, ATF, and Cherokee Marshals Service went to Ward’s residence, north of Vian in the Evening Shade community, to serve the warrant.
Lane said authorities reported finding nearly two pounds of what is believed to be methamphetamine, a large amount of marijuana, bags of an unknown brownish powder substance that has reportedly been sent to the lab for identification, digital scales, packaging materials and other drug paraphernalia, over 40 firearms, over $2,000 in U.S. Currency, and a digital surveillance system.
“At the time of this release, two of the firearms have been confirmed stolen-one from Oklahoma City and one from Poteau,” Lane said. He said the other firearms are still being processed as of press time.
Lane said the bust is the conclusion of a very lengthy investigation into numerous property thefts and methamphetamine distribution in Sequoyah County.
“Bob Ward has been a thorn in our side for several years,” Lane said. “We have busted him several times and he’s always managed to get his cases dismissed. It’s really frustrating to me and for my deputies and investigators, when they work so hard to get a known drug dealer and thief off the streets, and he just laughs at them as he walks out of the courthouse.
“This time, the ATF is preparing to adopt his case and prosecute him through the federal system, hopefully he will be convicted this time.”
“I’ve gotten several calls from his neighbors, thanking us for finally raiding him. They were tired of all the traffic coming in and out of his house, all times of the day and night,” Lane said. “I explained to them that just because we “know” or suspect that someone is selling drugs, we still have to obtain probable cause to get a warrant. We can’t just go bust them because we “know” or suspect what they’re doing.”
Lane said some cases take longer than others to develop solid probable cause.
“Investigator Galen Irvin wrote the search warrant and has a ton of paperwork to follow, but our entire investigation unit, as well as the patrol deputies, have worked a long time on this target,” he said. “I’m proud they have all worked together so well to get this guy.”
