Source: Tulsa World (OK) 
Copyright: 1998 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  
Website: http://www.tulsaworld.com 
Pubdate: 3 Oct 1998
Author: Omer Gillham, World Staff Writer

LAVENDER NOT BLUE OVER RECENT HIGH-PROFILE CASES

Vinita -- Oklahoma Highway Patrolman Alvin "Bud" Lavender is making a name
for himself in other states.

His arrests and traffic tickets have a way of touching off outrage from
coast to coast.

Lavender, an OHP trooper since February 1986, is the patrolman who arrested
Vermont herbologist George Singleton and who gave a $90 ticket to a Las
Vegas woman who was 80 cents short when she pulled up to a toll booth on
the Will Rogers Turnpike.

Singleton, who also was traveling on the Will Rogers Turnpike, was arrested
Feb. 27 for allegedly being under the influence of an intoxicant. He was
held in the Craig County Jail for 25 days even though he tested negative
for drugs.

Sheri Sprung was ticketed by Lavender in July while she was on her way home
to Las Vegas after attending her grandmother's funeral in Wisconsin.

While passing through Oklahoma, she got onto the Will Rogers Turnpike
without sufficient funds to pay the $3 toll. She had $2.20 in cast, an ATM
card and credit cards, but no checks.

Singleton's misdemeanor DUI and Sprung's traffic ticket sparked outrage
across the United States and made millions of people shake their heads at
Craig County law enforcement.

Meanwhile, Sprung's ticket was dismissed by local officials, while a Craig
County district judge dismissed the DUI charge against Singleton on Friday
for lack of evidence.

When asked about the circumstances surrounding the traffic stops, Lavender
said he was doing his job.

"I really can't talk about the arrests, but I'll tell you that a lot of
people come through the toll booths every week without enough money, and it
can be a burden on the toll booth workers to have to make up the difference
each time," Lavender said.

He said Sprung was "short" with him and with the toll booth attendants.
Sprung has said it was the other way around. "I honestly believe she had no
intentions of paying the toll," he said.

Sprung has said she would have paid the $3 toll if she could have been
driven to an automatic teller machine. Lavender doesn't remember such a
request.

He arrested Singleton after discovering rosemary and mullein in a Prince
Albert can in his late-model van.

The trooper said Singleton had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Lavender
field-tested Singleton's herbs for marijuana, but they tested negative.

Nevertheless, Craig County Assistant District Attorney Clint Ward charged
Singleton with misdemeanor DUI, forcing Lavender to testify that Singleton
probably was under the influence of an intoxicant the night of his arrest.

Lavender shook Singleton's hand Friday and congratulated him after District
Judge H.M. "Bud" Wyatt III dismissed the DUI charge.

Wyatt, after announcing Singleton's DUI dismissal, said he believed
Lavender acted in good faith when he arrested Singleton earlier this year.

Lavender plays the guitar and attends the Family Praise Center in Vinita.
he has been involved with an estimated 500 DUI arrests during his 12-year
career.

He was assigned to OHP Troop L at Vinita in June 1986. He received his Will
Rogers Turnpike assignment in July 1997.

Lavender said he brought his experience and observation ability to the
arrest of Singleton. "My arrest was based on my law enforcement experience."

Singleton thanked Lavender for the handshake and congratulations following
the dismissal of his DUI charge. "It really surprised me, but I'm glad to
see he has some compassion," Singleton said.

OHP spokesman Stewart Meyer said Lavender is a good officer. "There's been
no trouble with officer Lavender that I've heard of."
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Checked-by: Richard Lake