At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, STAT officers in a marked police car were conducting traffic enforcement in the area of 90 Avenue and 175 Street. Officers observed the driver of a 2004 BMV X5 allegedly texting on a handheld electronic device and conducted a vehicle stop. While speaking to the driver, officers noted that there was the smell of fresh marijuana emanating from the vehicle. It was also determined that the driver was the registered owner of the vehicle, and was under a judicial recognizance order prohibiting him from possessing a cell phone/handheld device.
Upon further investigation, officers discovered in the SUV:
- Three 10-litre containers filled with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) “the date rape drug”
- 756 grams of cannabis marijuana
- Approximately $1,000 in cash
Police arrested and charged the driver, and seized the drugs, cash, and SUV (with a combined estimated value of $73,000). The SUV was seized for civil forfeiture under the Victims Restitution and Compensation Payment Act.
Ryan David Getschel, 31, has been charged with possession for the purposes of trafficking (x2), possession of proceeds of crime, use of handheld electronic device, and breach of recognizance (x3).
“STAT officers patrol areas of the city with traffic enforcement concerns, and target vehicles and occupants involved in illegal activities,” says Sgt. Bill Krull with STAT. “Every day, these officers intercept traffic violators, suspended or impaired drivers, individuals wanted on warrants, stolen vehicles and property, and weapons and drugs. STAT continues to have an impact on high-risk drivers and mobile criminals, and in making our streets and communities safer.”
The EPS Specialized Traffic Apprehension Team (STAT) is part of Chief Rod Knecht’s Violence Reduction Strategy. In 2013, STAT’s traffic interdiction has been responsible for approximately: 991 arrests, 1,085 criminal charges, 1,303 warrant executions, 15,336 tickets, recovery of 31 stolen vehicles and other property, and the seizures of 30 weapons, 621 vehicles, and $261,000 in cash and drugs.