MCCURTAIN COUNTY, Okla. — A 54-year-old man has been arrested after authorities said he was manufacturing moonshine and providing it to a McCurtain County retailer.
An undercover investigator assigned to the case made two purchases of the moonshine from Short's Beer to Go in early January.
In late January, investigators made their way to the home of Gary Branson, the suspect in the case.
Officials said upon approaching Branson's home, they recognized an odor associated with the illegal manufacture of moonshine. A search warrant was then prepared for the property, which is located in the 3300 block of Union Valley Trail in Eagletown.
In the search warrant, officials seized collection pots, cookers, burners, thumpers, glass containers, bags of sugar, yeast, mash barrels and other items.
Branson faces counts of failure to possess a distillers license, evading alcoholic beverage tax, engaging in an activity which requires an ABLE license and possession with intent to sell alcoholic beverage.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
