NCSO News

On Friday, October 31, 2014, at approximately 10pm, a Nolan County deputy initiated a traffic stop in the 2000 block of Lamar Street for a minor traffic infraction. Upon contact with the driver, a Sweetwater man who was accompanied by passenger, Lisa Cantu, of Sweetwater, the deputy immediately detected a strong odor of marijuana, justifying a “probable cause” search. Both individuals were requested to exit the vehicle where an investigation could be conducted.

A search of the vehicle was then conducted which lead to nothing illegal being discovered. The deputy then notified a female deputy that was in the area for assistance, and after her arrival, a pat down of Cantu was conducted which lead to the discovery of a small plastic baggy with suspected marijuana, and paraphernalia used in its consumption, both concealed in her bra.

Cantu was arrested and transported to the Nolan County jail where she was charged with the misdemeanor offense of possession of marijuana. The case will be filed with the Nolan County Attorney for prosecution.

On 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.

On Saturday, October 11, 2014, a Nolan County deputy initiated a traffic stop on a gray, Ford truck in the 300 block of 3^rd 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.

On Saturday, August 30, 2014, a Nolan County deputy observed a green Chevrolet truck parked off the roadway in the 9600 block of Highway 70, with a person slumped over the steering wheel. Upon speaking with the driver Ryan Taylor, of Arkansas, the deputy noticed indications of deception, whereupon he requested and received consent to search the vehicle. Taylor was requested to exit the vehicle where an investigation could be conducted.

Before searching the vehicle, the deputy discovered paraphernalia used in the consumption of methamphetamine on the driver seat. A search was then conducted that lead to the discovery of paraphernalia used in the consumption of marijuana. Upon completing the search, the deputy retrieved Taylor’s wallet from the hood of the truck where he had been instructed to stand, and discovered a clear plastic baggy on the ground that contained suspected methamphetamine. Taylor had attempted to discard the suspected methamphetamine during the deputy’s search of the vehicle.

Taylor was arrested and transported to the Nolan County jail where he was charged with the felony offense of possession of controlled substance. The case will be filed with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

If you receive a call from area code 876 (Jamaica) – Do not call back (unless you know the caller/number and are expecting the call.)

The 473 area code has been linked to a form of telephone fraud known as the “one ring scam”. The person perpetuating the scam calls the victim via a robodialer or similar means, sometimes at odd hours of the night, then hangs up when the phone is answered with the hope that the victim will be curious enough to call the number back. When the victim does this, an automatic $19.95 international call fee is charged to their account, as well as $9.00/min thereafter. Similar scams have been linked to Grenada (area code 473), Antigua (area code 268), Jamaica (area code 876), the Dominican Republic (area code 809) and the British Virgin Islands (area code 284).

The claims in the warnings are valid. Alerts about the scam have been issued by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as well as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Attorney General’s Office in several US states.

Roscoe School starts Monday, August 12, 2013, Highland and Blackwell Schools start Monday, August 26, 2013, and the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office reminds motorists to use extra caution and obey speed limits, particularly in residential neighborhoods and school zones.

Many young students will walk or ride bicycles to school or to the bus stop, older students will drive themselves to school for the first time this year and will be sharing the road and parking lots with many other new drivers as well as pedestrians, therefore it is important and encouraged that all motorists and young drivers be vigilant and never allow distractions to take their eyes off the road. The use of cell phones in a school zone is prohibited! Put away your cell phone and don’t talk or text while driving! Watch for children at intersections, on curbs and in crosswalks and take extra care when entering and exiting driveways and alleys.

Beware of children darting out from between parked vehicles.

Motorists, use caution when following or approaching a school bus, especially near bus stops. Do not pass a school bus, motorists must stop for all school buses when the stop sign is out and or lights are flashing. This is true even if the bus is on the opposite side of the street.

Deputies will strictly enforce all traffic laws near schools, giving citations that carry greater fines than regular speeding infractions.

“Let’s work together to protect our children so that they have a safe and enjoyable school year.”