Five Tennessee residents were arrested Saturday after THC, bundles of money, pills, a firearm and marijuana were found in their vehicle during an Interstate 30 traffic stop, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde reported stopping a Hyundai Sonata before 8 a.m. Sept. 12, 2020, at mile marker 110 on Interstate 30 west for speeding. When he approached the vehicle he detected an odor of fresh marijuana coming from inside. A probable cause search was conducted.
The driver, identified as 33-year-old Alphonso Orlando McCracken, was accused of having a bundle of cash totaling $20,000. Two of the passengers, identified in arrest reports as 32-year-old Michael Daniels Thomas Jr. and 26-year-old Cadarrius K. Bell, were alleged to have bundles of cash in their pockets. Bell allegedly had $2,000 and Thomas $6,000.
McCracken also was accused of possession of 5 oxycodone acetaminophen pills (3 mg), a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Bell was accused of possession of approximately 5.6 ounces of marijuana in a glass jar and unlawful carrying of a weapon, a semi-automatic Glock handgun.
Another passenger, 28-year-old Cardiss Savannah Henderson, allegedly possessed of a bag containing 3 suspected Ecstasy pills (weighing 3 grams), another bag with approximately 21 grams of THC edibles and a plastic bottle containing THC syrup that weighed approximately 35 grams. The fourth passenger, a 25-year-old Memphis, Tennessee woman, was allegedly found in possession of a green pipe containing marijuana residue.
All five Memphis residents were placed under arrest and transported to a highway patrol office for further investigation. Criminal Investigations Division Special Agent Kelly conducted interviews with the Tennessee residents.
“All occupants of the vehicle were traveling from Memphis, TN to Dallas, TX, both hub-city for narcotics distribution while in possession of controlled substances, a large amount of currency and a firearm. Thomas admitted to being a ‘prior’ gang member. Based on the totality of the circumstances and evidence, the occupants of the vehicle were traveling to Dallas with the intent to use the currency to further the commission of criminal activity,” Ugalde alleged in arrest reports.
Jail reports show the following were released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, Sept. 13 on bond:
- Cadarrius K. Bell on a $20,000 bond on the money laundering charge, on a $10,000 bond on the possession of more than 4 ounces but no more than 5 pounds of marijuana charge, and $2,500 on the unlawful carrying a weapon charge;
- the 25-year-old Tennessee woman on the misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charge; and
- Michael Daniels Thomas Jr. on a $20,000 bond on the money laundering charge.
The two other Tennessee residents remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, Sept. 14, according to jail reports. Cardiss Savannah Henderson’s bond was set at $40,000 bond on the possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge and a $25,000 bond on the possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge. Alphonso Orlando McCracken’s bond was set at $25,000 bond on the possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and a $20,000 bond on the money laundering charge.
