WASHINGTON COUNTY — A convicted felon in Hurricane is facing 25 felonies, among other charges, after a search warrant allegedly revealed drugs and 24 firearms in his possession, authorities said.
Officials executed a search warrant Friday on 29-year-old Brandon Ward Stratton’s home located on the 390 West block of 300 North, his shop located on the 120 West block of 100 North, as well as his Ford truck, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Washington County Drug Task Force in support of the arrest.
During surveillance of Stratton’s home over a span of two months, officials observed Stratton climbing a ladder and going into the attic area of his home numerous times through a full-sized door above the front door of the home, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
When the attic was searched, officials located a handgun. Due to Stratton’s felony convictions for theft and drug distribution, Stratton is restricted from having any type of firearm in his possession.
Stratton had left his home just prior to being detained in his Ford truck. When Stratton’s truck was searched, a baggie was located with a crystal substance inside which later tested positive for methamphetamine, the officer stated.
During a search of Stratton’s shop, authorities located a large gun safe. According to the statement, Stratton claimed he didn’t know the combination for the safe and told officers that the safe belonged to his uncle.
When officials spoke with Stratton’s uncle about the safe, he said he didn’t know anything about it and that Stratton was the only person with access to the shop, the report stated.
A locksmith was hired to open the safe. Inside the safe was a total of 23 firearms including handguns and rifles, the officer stated in the report.
During the execution of the search warrant, officials also located methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in Stratton’s possession, the report stated.
Stratton was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Stratton of first-degree felony drug possession with the intent to distribute; 24 second-degree felony counts of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person; class A misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance; and class B misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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All the laws in the world won’t stop someone from obtaining guns (or drugs) #neverhillary #goawayobama
Hey, I thought criminals (read:felons) weren’t supposed to possess firearms. oh yeah, I forgot, bad guys don’t follow the law. #keepcalmandcarryon #lawabidinggunowners #lawfulcarryoffirearms
“Drug task force finds 24 firearms in possession of local convicted felon’
Look at the bookings, he was also arrested for drug possession.
Wow, this guy was out of jail and back on the streets before the arresting officer even finished his report!!!!
Only in America, folks
Donald Trump for president!!!
Let’s make America GREAT again by holding criminals accountable.
This was not paid for by Donald Trump, I posted it for FREE!!!!!
I’m sure Elder Dumbob can visit him on Sundays for his weekly spiritual up lifting ! Praise the Lord !
Wow ! . . . almost a replay of our town thief .
Ours however had the weapons in a locked shed behind his house .
His story was that the wife was the only one to use the keys ( instead of uncle story ) .
The key ring tho was in the house , the wife had the real job / gone 10 hours a day &
thief boy was home almost 24 / 7 except when taking a break to loot someones house or business .
Could be he was just an “unlicensed pharmacist” and an “unlicensed gun dealer”. Bet once he makes bail, he pulls a Lyle Jeffs move and disappears.