JERRELL WATTS CHARGED WITH MARIJUANA POSSESSION

The son of former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts has been charged in
Cleveland County District Court with a felony count of unlawful possession
of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Jerrell Christopher Watts, 23, is accused of having marijuana in his
possession when city police were called to the scene of a possible domestic
disturbance between Watts and his girlfriend in September.

District Attorney Tim Kuykendall said police found "a relatively small
amount - less than two ounces" of what they believed to be marijuana in the
younger Watts' possession.

City police officers said they went to a location at Boyd Street and
Classen Boulevard Sept. 9 in response to a report of a fight between a man
and woman. Jerrell Watts was taken into custody after the woman said he had
hit her twice in the face.

Kuykendall said his office declined to file a domestic abuse complaint in
the case "upon request of the victim."

The younger Watts appeared with his attorney, Joe Barr, before Special
District Judge Reg Gaston Tuesday afternoon and entered a plea of not
guilty to the marijuana charge.

Gaston released the man on his own recognizance and scheduled a preliminary
hearing conference for 1 p.m. Dec. 17.

New felony charges filed Monday include one count of animal cruelty against
a 36-year-old Norman man. Michael Glenn Travis is accused of withholding
food and water and not providing shelter for two dogs that were discovered
dead on his property Nov. 4.

Norman animal control officers said the dogs, a female schnauzer and a
female shepherd mix, were removed from the property at 2800 Rampart St. and
taken to a veterinarian for examination. The veterinarian said the animals
died of starvation and exposure, officers reported in a court affidavit.

Other felony charges filed recently include the following:

- - One count of possession of a controlled drug within 1,000 feet of a
school, one count of possession of marijuana within 2,000 feet of a school
and one count of failure to have a tax stamp on illegal drugs against
Timothy Michael Donnelly, 19, of Norman.

- - One count of grand larceny against Jose Manuel Avalos, 39, of Comfort, Texas.

- - One count of burglary of an automobile against Michael Lawrence Dore Jr.,
18, no address given.

- - One count of attempting to obtain a controlled drug by fraud against
Shawn Iravani, 39, of Moore.

Jane Glenn Cannon covers police and the courts.