It’s the little things that can cause real trouble, as Daniel Oropeza, 59, of Russellville, and his passenger, Crystal D. Hall, 42, learned Monday night while driving on Hwy. 100 through Chamois.

Deputy Matthew Cowan in his probable cause statement noted that Oropeza’s vehicle was approaching from the east with its high-beams activated. Cowan flashed his beams as a courtesy but the gesture was ignored, leading to a traffic stop near Riverside Park.

Both identified themselves, but neither had any form of identification. Cowan said he smelled the odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle as he talked to the pair.

It turns out that Oropeza’s license is revoked, and that he has four previous convictions for driving while revoked. He was arrested immediately for the felony offense.

Hall, meanwhile, told Cowan the vehicle did not belong to them, that they were merely driving it at the request of a friend. She told the deputy there may be something illegal in the car because her friend did drugs.

During a search of the vehicle, Cowan found a black purse that had been in Hall’s possession. Inside was a clear container holding marijuana, along with another bag that had meth residue, and a meth pipe.

Deputy Cowan said he could not get a straight answer as to who owned the purse, but a phone call to Hall’s friend confirmed it did not belong to her. Further, while escorting Hall to the patrol cruiser, she said, “The drugs were Daniel’s, and she did not know why she was getting in trouble for it.”

According to the probable cause statement, when Cowan opened the door, Hall told Oropeza she was being arrested for his drugs, and he replied, “Did he find them in your purse?”

Both were transported to the Osage County Detention Center. Oropeza was booked for driving while revoked and possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana. Hall was booked for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana.

They were released pending charges.