Steven P. RooksBAY CITY, MI — Heading north for a festival, a Bay City man suffered a blown out tire on his utility trailer, which led to police finding that he was improperly transporting medical marijuana and some psychedelic mushrooms, prosecutors allege.
About 4:35 p.m. on Aug. 16, Michigan State Police troopers noticed a 1999 Buick Park Avenue hauling a utility trailer on the side of northbound Interstate 75 near Coggins Road in Pinconning Township. The vehicle was resting on the shoulder, but was dangerously close to the left lane of traffic, according to court records.
Steven P. Rooks, 34, and Kevin H. Matthews, 50, were changing the flat tire when troopers stopped and approached them, court records show. Rooks was breathing heavily, sweating, had difficulty speaking and his hands were shaking, troopers wrote in their reports, contained in court records. Troopers believed Rooks’ characteristics were a sign of nervousness, rather than the result of physical exertion.
Matthews also appeared nervous and troopers observed his carotid artery pulsating in his neck, they wrote.
Also in the vehicle was Rooks’ 14-year-old daughter, court records show.
Rooks told the troopers they were on their way to Johannesburg for a festival and that the trailer contained items to be used to set up a food stand. He told them there was marijuana in the vehicle car, but added that he was a medical marijuana patient with a valid card identifying him as such, court records show.
Rooks said the marijuana was behind the driver’s seat and knew it was supposed to be secured. The troopers told Rooks medical marijuana must be in a vehicle’s trunk in a locked container.
Matthews told troopers there were magic mushrooms and more marijuana in a tent case in the trailer, court records show. He also said he had a small amount of marijuana in a cigarette pack in his pocket, which troopers found, their report states.
Police had the vehicle and trailer towed to the Tri-City Post in Williams Township. At the post, Rooks declined to speak further with troopers without an attorney present. Matthews, however, told deputies Rooks had given him the mushrooms as payment for his help with the vendor equipment, court records show.
In all, police recovered 24.1 grams of marijuana and 4.8 grams of psilocybin, or illicit mushrooms, from the Buick and trailer, court records indicate.
Authorities issued a warrant for Rooks on Thursday, Oct. 16. He voluntarily appeared for his arraignment in Bay County District Court on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Rooks is charged with single counts of possessing a controlled substance, second offense, and improper transportation of medical marihuana (sic). The former charge is a high court misdemeanor punishable by up to two years’ incarceration and a $4,000 fine, while the latter is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Rooks is to appear for a preliminary examination before District Judge Dawn A. Klida at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3.
Matthews is also charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. He is to appear for a pretrial hearing before Klida at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 7.
Police: Bay City man illegally transported medical marijuana, magic mushrooms when his tire blows
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