An Atoka man faces charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating substance after a traffic stop for reckless driving.
At approximately 12:25 a.m. on August 5, 2025, Officer Russell O'Neal of the Atoka Police Department was on patrol on Highway 69 when he observed a black Mazda fail to maintain its lane and cross the center line multiple times. A passenger in a vehicle traveling beside the officer also called Atoka County Dispatch to report the reckless driving. Officer O'Neal initiated a traffic stop, and the vehicle pulled into the Billy Sims parking lot.
The driver, identified as James Burch, was informed of the reason for the stop. Officer O'Neal immediately detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the vehicle. When asked, Burch admitted to smoking a marijuana cigarette about two hours prior, stating he had a medical marijuana card that had expired.
