By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

A man in Wenatchee, Washington was charged with Felony Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Deliver for what began as a text message. Unfortunately for him, his offer to illegally sell marijuana mistakenly went to a friend of a deputy sheriff.

After the incident, described in a Probable Cause Statement by a detective with the Columbia River Drug Task Force, Braxton Whited probably should consider reviewing his cell phone’s contact list.

According to the Probable Cause Statement, Braxton began his cascading comedy of errors when he mistakenly sent the text to a friend of a Chelan County Sheriff’s Deputy who in turn contacted the drug task force. The text reportedly read to the effect of:

“This is Braxton, I got an ounce. Dutch Treat, $50 dollars worth.”

The friend called Braxton and informed him that he had sent the text to the wrong number.

The drug task force opened the investigation and a detective exchanged texts with Braxton beginning with an introductory text that he had mistakenly sent the text to the friend. She was not interested in buying marijuana but he was.

Over the next two days, Braxton and the detective continued their negotiations that culminated with Braxton allegedly offering a choice between Sativa and Indica. The detective requested an ounce of Sativa.

Later, Braxton wrote that he had some difficulty getting an ounce from his supplier but he managed to do so. Braxton offered the ounce for $170 and stated the two could meet at a 7-11 store in Wenatchee where he would be waiting in a black KIA SUV.

Accompanied by a Wenatchee Police Officer, the detective contacted Braxton in his SUV and questioned him about the marijuana. Braxton allegedly admitted to the possession and pointed to the ounce of marijuana inside a door pocket. He stated that his supplier fronted him $150.00 and expected payment.

Braxton is now facing a charge of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver; a class C felony. It seems the allure of a $20 profit was too enticing for him.

But, in a sense, the joke in the matter could actually be the situation of this man being arrested to begin with. Washington state law allows the possession of up to one ounce of recreational marijuana. The felony charge came as having the intent to sell it. But, he did not have a license to sell and paid the state no excise tax. The horror.

By Darren Smith

Source: Chelan County Superior Court Clerk, via Public Records Request

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