A routine traffic stop on April 25 led to the arrest of a Missouri man after officers discovered marijuana and a loaded firearm in the vehicle.
According to a report by Atoka Police Officer Zachary Rice, the incident occurred around 1:58 p.m. on Friday when a silver Mitsubishi Lancer was pulled over near Pawn Ticket on Mississippi Avenue. Officer Rice had run the vehicle’s license plate and discovered it was registered to a 2012 Ford pickup, prompting the stop.
The driver, identified as Zaair Jacquise Taylor, produced a Missouri ID card and admitted he did not have a valid license with him. A records check revealed his license was expired. Taylor also acknowledged that the license plate did not belong to the vehicle.
Officer Rice noted a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the car and requested backup from Officer Steven Flowers. Passengers Jason Usher Washington and Devon Tyrese Burden-Johnson were also identified.
During a probable cause search of the vehicle, officers found multiple empty marijuana packaging bags and two labeled bags containing 14 and 20 grams of marijuana in the rear passenger area. A loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun was also discovered inside a black bag next to other personal property bearing Burden-Johnson’s name.
While initially denying ownership, Burden-Johnson later admitted the marijuana and firearm belonged to him after being booked at the Atoka County Jail. He was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and transporting a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle.
Taylor, the driver, was cited for operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license and affixing an unauthorized license plate. He and Washington were released from the scene. The license plate was seized as evidence.
