Traffic stop leads to arrest of Texas suspect

A recent traffic stop by Quay County sheriff’s deputy led to the arrest of a Texas suspect on a parole violation, plus the recovery of illegal drugs and nearly $48,000 in cash.

According to a report from the sheriff’s department, Deputy Larry Cooksey was patrolling on U.S. 54 the afternoon of Jan. 22 when he stopped a Jeep speeding 84 mph in a 65 mph zone. The driver was identified as Jonathan Dexter Schiffer, 28, of El Paso, Texas, who had an active warrant for a parole violation.

After being taken into custody, Schiffer told the deputy there was a methamphetamine pipe in the vehicle. Another deputy looked into the vehicle and saw methamphetamine inside. Officers then obtained a search warrant for the Jeep.

While waiting for the search warrant, other officers found Schiffer had hidden cocaine in his rectal area, prompting a criminal complaint of tampering with evidence.

The search of the vehicle at Jack’s Towing in Tucumcari found three baggies containing suspected methamphetamine or cocaine, four glass pipes with suspected drug residue, one electronic cigarette containing THC (the active ingredient in marijuana), two torch lighters, one rock of methamphetamine and three plastic bags of cash sealed with duct tape.

The sheriff’s department on Thursday filed a forfeiture request in Tucumcari district court, alleging the cash seized was part of a crime. The petition states the total amount of cash seized was $47,920.

Schiffer was charged with two counts of drug trafficking, one count of tampering with evidence and one count of speeding.

The trafficking counts are second-degree felonies that could lead up to nine years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The tampering charge is a fourth-degree felony that could lead up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Schiffer, who remains in custody at the Quay County Detention Center, is scheduled to appear for a preliminary examination hearing in Tucumcari magistrate court on Feb. 10.

Public defender Anna Aragon was listed in online court records as Schiffer’s attorney. She could not be reached for comment.