Breckenridge Texan

Following a citizen’s tip earlier this week, Stephens County Sheriff Will Holt and Deputy Ryan Drake conducted what they call a “knock and talk” investigation at a local motel and arrested one woman on charges of manufacturing or delivering methamphetamine.

Desiree Baladez

According to a news release from Holt and an affidavit filed with the Justice of the Peace office, the investigation took place on the evening of Monday, Aug. 5, at a motel in the 6900 block of U.S. Highway 180 West.

Four people were in the motel room, Holt reported, but Desiree Baladez, 35, of Breckenridge allegedly admitted to owning the drugs and items typically used in the sale of drugs that were found in her purse and in a drawer in the room. She was arrested for the second degree felony offense of Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 equal to or more than 1 gram but less than 4 grams.

Baladez also had a warrant for theft of property equal to or greater than $100 but less than $750.

As of Friday afternoon, Aug. 9, she remains in the Stephens County Jail with a $35,000 bond for the drug charges and $4,000 bond for the theft charge, and has requested a court-appointed attorney.

The drug investigation resulted in the confiscation of 3.5 grams of methamphetamine, along with numerous items of evidence consistent with drug dealing, as opposed to simple possession, according to the information from the sheriff. The other items included digital scales typically used for weighing drugs while dividing methamphetamine for distribution; dozens of unused, small plastic baggies (also known as coin or jewelry bags) often used for storing and selling drugs for individual sales; methamphetamine packaged for individual sale in the above described bags; and, a larger stash of methamphetamine stored separately from the methamphetamine packaged in smaller quantities.

“There were also numerous other facts and circumstances observed by the S.O. that drug dealing was occurring, and not just simple possession for personal use,” Holt said in the news release.

Another woman was arrested in the motel room on two warrants out of Jones County for traffic violations. And one of the other three people in the room was issued a citation for possessing drug paraphernalia, according to the sheriff.

Deputy Bill Flournoy assisted with the investigation.

Holt said that the investigation is ongoing and that other known and unknown suspects that are a part of the group of drug dealers will have charges filed at a later date.

Story by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan

Cutline, top photo: Some of the items confiscated by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office on Monday evening included methamphetamine packaged in small baggies, as well as a larger amount of the drug, for a total of 3.5 grams. Other items discovered in the investigation included digital scales and additional baggies. (Photo courtesy of the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office)