Waurika man arrested for DUI drugs in city

A Waurika man is facing a felony DUI drug charge following a traffic stop in Comanche on Christmas Eve.

According a court affidavit, Matthew Richard Barenthin, 47, was pulled officer by a Comanche police officer in north Comanche.

The officer was on routine patrol when he noticed a car traveling northbound on Highway 81 at the intersection of Church Ave. with a running light out on the vehicle. The officer initiated a traffic stop at Dr. Pepper and Highway 81.

According to the affidavit, the officer noted a brake light was also out on the vehicle. After approaching the vehicle, the officer allegedly noticed a strong of odor of marijuana and the officer noticed the driver’s eyes were glassy-appearing and red. Barenthin also allegedly had slurred speech. Barenthin said he did not have a marijuana license.

There were four juvenile passengers in the vehicle. Barenthin allegedly said he was not smoking marijuana while driving, but had smoked some in his car before leaving his home in Waurika.

The four juveniles were picked up by a relative and Barenthin was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and taken to the Stephens County jail where he was booked.

Barenthin was released on a $5,000 bond. The crime is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for one to 10 years or a minimum of 28 days of residential or inpatient treatment followed by 90 days of aftercare at the defendant’s expense, 240 hours of community service following the aftercare service and use of an ignition interlock device.