While on Patrol of the Mark Twain National Forest, United States Forest Service Officer William Cox observed a Dodge van that crossed the center line of Highway 99 in a careless manner.
According to the Probable Cause Affidavit, Cox initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver by his Florida Drivers License as David James Larkin. Cox asked Larkin if he had been drinking alcohol and Larkin stated that the reason he crossed the centerline was that he was attempting to retrieve a soda that he had dropped.
Officer Cox observed the strong smell of marijuana, and he asked Larkin how much marijuana he had in the vehicle and Larking stated that he had two joints. Larkin also stated he was using his van to transport people into the Rainbow Gathering taking place in the Mark Twain Forest. Larkin was instructed to exit the vehicle, and he gave consent to a search of the vehicle.
Officer Cox requested help from the Missouri State Highway Patrol on the search and substances including methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, 57 grams of marijuana along with drug paraphernalia were seized.
Larkin was transported to the Shannon County Jail and charged with possession of a controlled substance, trafficking drugs, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
