August 25, 2020
By News Director Jared Atha
A man wanted in Arkansas was arrested in Elk City after being found with illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.
According to a police report, police were dispatched to an Elk City motel parking lot early Sunday morning and found a running car with a dog in the backseat. Upon further inspection police would find 39-year-old James Rodney Payton of Greenwood, Arkansas asleep and slumped over the steering wheel. After making contact with Payton, the officer observed a needle and syringe between the suspect’s feet. When asked what the needle and syringe was used for, Payton told the officer it was insulin. The officer asked Payton to get the insulin for him with the suspect saying it was in his trunk. The report stated that Payton could not locate the insulin, that’s when the officer asked him if he tests the needle for any other substance, what would he find. Payton would then allegedly confess that it would test for heroin.
Payton was placed under arrest and was transported to the Elk City Police Department. After a search of the car, police reported to have found a large sum of cash that totaled over $2,700. The officer also found possible heroin in a rubber container and a backpack with more drug paraphernalia.
The report said that the communications officer was able to determine that Payton was wanted from Arkansas and the warrant was asking for a full extradition.
Payton was booked into the Elk City Jail on city charges possession of drug paraphernalia, and as being a fugitive from justice.
