NCSO News

On Wednesday, June 17, 2015, a driver license violation prompted the stop of a Pontiac sedan in Sweetwater that led to seizure of suspected marijuana and the arrest of a Sweetwater man.

A Nolan County deputy stopped a maroon Pontiac Grand Am for a driver license violation in the 100 block of Texas Avenue, Sweetwater. Contact was made with the driver, Arnulfo Delgado, of Sweetwater who was accompanied by a passenger, also of Sweetwater. Delgado and his passenger were requested to exit the vehicle where a roadside investigation was conducted.

Wile speaking with Delgado, the deputy noticed indications of criminal activity, whereupon she requested consent to search the vehicle but was denied. The Sweetwater Police Department was then contacted, and a K9 unit was requested. Sergeant Rob Hohman arrived on scene and deployed a K9, where an open-air sniff operation was conducted. The K9 alerted on the passenger side of the vehicle, as it made its way to the center console, justifying a “probable cause” search.

Delgado was later found to have discarded a plastic baggie containing suspected marijuana in plain sight. He was detained and a search of the vehicle was conducted which lead to the discovery of drug paraphernalia and remnants of marijuana.

Delgado was placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where he was charged with the misdemeanor offense of possession of marijuana and Instantered for no driver’s license (when unlicensed). The case will be filed with the Nolan County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

On Saturday, June 06, 2015, at about 1150 hours, a driver license violation prompted the stop of a GMC truck in Sweetwater that led to discovery of suspected heroine, paraphernalia used in its consumption and the arrest of two occupants.

Nolan County deputies stopped a green GMC truck for a driver license violation in the 500 block of Sam Houston, Sweetwater. Contact was made with the driver, Robert Rodriguez, of Sweetwater who was accompanied by passengers Jenny Valenzuela, and a small child, both of Roby. The adult occupants were requested to exit the vehicle and separated where a roadside investigation could be conducted.

While speaking with Rodriguez, deputies detected deception in the answers he was providing; thereafter consent to search the vehicle was requested and received. A search of the vehicle was conducted which lead to the discovery of a clear plastic baggy containing a dark substance determined to be heroin and paraphernalia used in its consumption.

The deputy placed suspected heroine and paraphernalia on the side of the truck, as he continued the search of the vehicle. Another deputy on scene was with Valenzuela, when he observed Rodriguez grab the spoon and eat the corner of the plastic baggy that contained the suspected heroin. While Rodriguez distracted both Deputies, a mailbox near where Valenzuela was seated could be heard being shut. An immediate search of the mailbox was conducted that lead to the discovery of bag containing heroin residue on paraphernalia used in its consumption.

Rodriguez and Valenzuela were both placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where they were charged with the felony offense of tampering with evidence. The child was released to a responsible family member who arrived on scene after being contacted by deputies. Child Protective Services was contacted and a report was filed. The case will be filed with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.