Traffic stop leads to an arrest and seizure of marijuana

October 20, 2014 |   |  Community Awareness

gamboa-garciaOn Sunday, October 19, 2014, at approximately 10pm, a Nolan County deputy initiated a traffic stop at mile-marker 245 of IH-20. Upon contact with the driver, Joe Garcia, Jr., of Fort Worth who was accompanied by passenger, Jose Efrin Gamboa, of Fort Worth, the deputy immediately discovered items justifying a “probable cause” search. Both men were requested to exit the vehicle where an investigation could be conducted.

The deputy then notified another deputy in the area for backup, and after her arrival, a search of the vehicle was conducted which lead to the discovery of suspected marijuana, concealed in a plastic container under the seat. Upon further inspection of the vehicle, a clear plastic baggy containing suspected marijuana was discovered, concealed in the center console.

Both men were arrested and transported to the Nolan County jail where they were charged with the misdemeanor offense of possession of marijuana. The case will be filed with the Nolan County Attorney for prosecution.

Traffic stop leads to an arrest and seizure of marijuana and paraphernalia

October 12, 2014 |   |  Community Awareness

kirk-suttonOn Saturday, October 11, 2014, a Nolan County deputy initiated a traffic stop on a gray, Ford truck in the 300 block of 3rd Street for expired registration. Just before the stop, the deputy had observed the occupants in the vehicle engaged in suspicious activity behind a local Sweetwater business, which raised concern.

After stopping the vehicle and contacting the driver, of Sweetwater who was accompanied by passengers, Dylan Kirkpatrick and Dusty Sutton, both of Sweetwater, the deputy became even more concerned when the men admitted to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and having smoked marijuana earlier.

All the men were requested to exit the vehicle; consent to search was requested and received. A search of the vehicle was then conducted which lead to the discovery of a bag of suspected marijuana, paraphernalia used in its consumption and paraphernalia used in the consumption of methamphetamine.

The two passengers were arrested and transported to the Nolan County jail. Kirkpatrick was charged with the misdemeanor offense of possession of drug paraphernalia. Sutton was charged with the misdemeanor offense of possession of marijuana. The case will be filed with the Nolan County Attorney for prosecution.