Casper Man Arrested for DUI, Child Endangerment, Drug Possession
A man and an underage family member of his were arrested late Sunday night after police stopped a vehicle for a missing headlight and allegedly found the pair with marijuana and an open can of beer.
Wesley A. Taylor, 41, was booked on charges of third-offense DUI, DUI with child endangerment, an open container violation, and felony marijuana possession. The teen's name and charges cannot be released by authorities, as she is a juvenile.
Court documents say a Casper police officer was patrolling the area of East 12th Street and South McKinley shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday when she saw a vehicle with a burned-out headlight. The officer decided to stop the vehicle at East 12th Street and South Jefferson.
As she approached the vehicle, the officer immediately smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. Taylor reportedly said he smoked marijuana before he left a barbeque. He said he wanted the teen to drive, but she could not see well at night.
Taylor also allegedly admitted to drinking a six-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon tall boys. The teen reportedly said she smoked marijuana three times each day, but Taylor said he was unaware she possessed or used any drugs.
When asked whether they had anything illegal on them, the teen reportedly pulled a small corner piece of a clear plastic bag from the left side of her bra. Inside the bag was a small amount of what later tested positive as marijuana.
A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up a small container which contained green residue, which the officer believed to be marijuana residue. Police also found a 16-oz. beer can, which was mostly empty, stuffed next to the passenger seat.
Police notified the Wyoming Department of Family Services, and the girl's mother was called to pick her up.
Taylor performed standardized field sobriety tests. He reportedly performed poorly, and was arrested.
He agreed to have his blood drawn. Taylor's blood-alcohol concentration was not included in charging documents.
Police note in the affidavit that Taylor had two prior DUI convictions in the past decade, as well as more than three drug possession convictions in his lifetime, which makes this latest alleged marijuana offense chargeable under Wyoming's felony statute.