A Brownwood couple was arrested on drug related charges after a traffic stop for failure to signal a turn Sunday night.
Brown County Sheriff’s deputy Terry Sliter made a traffic stop in the 4300 block of 9th Street at approximately 11:30 PM Sunday night. According to the report, Deputy Sliter made contact with the driver of the vehicle, 41-year-old Eric Todd Whitley, and noted him to be “very agitated.” The passenger, identified as 37-year-old Stacey Elizabeth Bishop, attempted to go inside a house; however she was ordered to stop while the officer conducted an investigation, the report states. Whitley was asked for consent to search the vehicle, which he refused, according to Deputy Sliter.
A K-9 unit was called to the scene and after its deployment; a positive alert to the passenger side of the vehicle was given, the report states.
While the vehicle was being searched, Deputy Sliter checked the area around the vehicle and the house and found a piece of envelope on the porch. Sliter explained that it was apparent that the paper had been placed there in an attempt to keep the contents, a clear baggie containing 1 gram of methamphetamine with packaging, from being discovered.
A search warrant was obtained for their residence, 4406 McArthur Circle, where the other half of the envelope was located, along with 3 grams of marijuana with packaging, scales commonly used for the distribution of narcotics, and a glass pipe with white residue in it, Deputy Sliter reported. According to the report, a 6.5 caliber rifle was found in the garage, which is a violation for Bishop as she is a convicted felon.
Both Whitley and Bishop were placed under arrest, each charged with tampering or fabricating evidence, possession of a controlled substance penalty group 1 equal or greater than 1 gram less than 4 grams, and possession of marijuana. Bishop was additionally charged with unlawful possession of firearm. Both were transported to the Brown County Jail. Bishop was held on bonds totaling $46,500 and Whitley was held on bonds totaling$12,000. Both posted bond and were released on Sunday, April 27th.
As the pair was arrested, Whitley was very disrespectful to officers, constantly stating to Sliter that he was going to be fired for this, according to the report. Bishop continued telling Sgt. Pete Bastardo that the officers planted all this contraband on them, Deputy Sliter reported. Both stated that the officers were all “dirty cops” and that “you will get yours,” according to the report. Whitley would never clarify what he meant by that comment, the report states.
Whitley is a former DPS Trooper. He and Bishop were arrested in September of 2013 on drug trafficking charges at this same residence.
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Former DPS Trooper Arrested on Drug Related Charges
