(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) has confirmed that a traffic stop turned into a narcotics seizure and two arrests on Oct. 26.
According to EPSO, deputies were conducting a traffic stop around 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 26, near the intersection of Main Street and Highway 85 in unincorporated El Paso County, when they spotted a burnt piece of tin foil inside the car.
Juan Gonzales-Gomez, 26. Mugshot provided by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Keri Shay, 24. Mugshot provided by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
This was enough to prompt EPSO to remove 26-year-old Juan Gonzales-Gomez and 24-year-old Keri Shay in order to search the car.
EPSO reports that the search revealed bags of narcotics, a scale, a ledger, and over $5,800 in cash. Gonzales-Gomez was in direct possession of crack cocaine, and deputies found a gun, fentanyl pills, and more drug paraphernalia on Shay.
A later inventory of the seizure from the car included over 200 fentanyl pills, Xanax pills, crack cocaine, PCP, methamphetamine, and heroin.
Both Gonzales-Gomez and Shay were detained and brought to the El Paso County Jail, where they are held on $50,000 bonds.
Gonzales-Gomez is facing charges of:
Special Offender
Unlawful Distribution, Manufacturing, Dispensing, or Sale
Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance
Introducing Contraband in the Second Degree
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Speed Limits (10–19 mph over)
Shay is facing charges of:
Special Offender
Unlawful Distribution, Manufacturing, Dispensing, or Sale
Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance
Tampering with Physical Evidence
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Both were labeled as “Special Offenders,” which indicates defendants have been previously “convicted of drug felonies under very serious circumstances.”
“The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office remains steadfast in our commitment to combat the distribution of dangerous narcotics and to bring those responsible to justice. I am proud of the vigilance and professionalism demonstrated by our deputies, each of whom works tirelessly to protect our neighborhoods and remove dangerous drugs and prolific offenders from our community. Their dedication reflects the highest standards of service, the enduring values of our Office, and our unwavering focus on mission.”
– El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal.
