Traffic stop leads to an arrest and seizure of methamphetamine

On Thursday, September 24, 2015, at approximately 12pm, deputies stopped a white Chrysler sedan for a minor traffic infraction that lead to seizure of several bags of suspected methamphetamine and the arrest of a Fort Worth man. Deputies stopped the vehicle in the parking lot of El Papagayo restaurant, in Sweetwater for a minor traffic infraction. Contact was made with the driver who was accompanied by passenger Lee Mathis, of Fort Worth. Both men were requested to exit the vehicle where a roadside investigation could be conducted. During the investigation, deputies noticed indications of criminal activity; thereafter consent to search the vehicle was requested and received. Just before the search could be conducted, Mathis attempted to flee but was immediately stopped, and after a brief struggle with deputies, he was taken into custody. A search of the vehicle was then conducted which lead to the discovery of several bags of suspected methamphetamine, concealed in a cigarette box. Mathis was transported to the Nolan County jail where he was charged with the felony offense of manufacture/delivery of methamphetamine. The case will be filed with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.