BEDFORD– Two people face criminal charges following a traffic stop in Bedford on Saturday night.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Joshua Turner, Jasmine D. White, 22, was arrested on Saturday, April 26, after officers allegedly discovered methamphetamine and marijuana.
The incident unfolded around 11:27 p.m. when Officer Turner was at the Super 8 Motel on Bellback Road for an unrelated call. While there, he recognized Manuel Zepeda, who he knew to have a suspended driver’s license, entering the driver’s seat of a red 2005 Subaru Forester.
Officer Turner observed Zepeda drive the vehicle and then quickly park again after seemingly noticing the marked police vehicle. White, later identified as Jasmine White, exited the passenger side, and both individuals entered the motel.
A short time later, Officer Turner saw the vehicle leaving the motel, with Zepeda driving and White as the passenger. As Officer Turner attempted to follow the vehicle, he noticed the license plate light was not working. The vehicle proceeded south on Bellback Road and then eastbound on John Williams Boulevard, appearing to accelerate quickly.
Officer Turner initiated a traffic stop after observing the vehicle fail to make a complete stop at a red light while turning onto Williams Park Drive. The vehicle came to a stop in the parking lot of Buffalo Wings and Rings on John Williams Boulevard. While the vehicle was slowing down, Officer Turner reported seeing Zepeda make furtive movements, lean over the center console, and reach towards the passenger side. Zepeda also drove the vehicle over a parking curb and had to back it off.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Turner noticed White holding a McDonald’s cup and putting the lid back on it. Zepeda stated that he drove erratically because he was nervous, due to the police being behind him, and admitted to having a permit but not a valid driver’s license. Due to the observed furtive movements, both occupants were asked to get out of the vehicle.
Zepeda’s consent to search the vehicle was declined by White, who stated it belonged to her mother. Officer Bell and his K9 partner, Castiel, were called to the scene to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle. Castiel reportedly gave a positive alert for the presence of illegal substances.
A subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a clear plastic bag containing a crystal meth under the passenger seat. Both Zepeda and White were read their Miranda warnings, and both denied knowing where the bag came from, suggesting it might have belonged to a previous passenger.
Further searching by Officer Bell revealed small pieces of crystal meth, matching the substance in the bag, inside the McDonald’s cup White was seen holding. Due to the conflicting statements, both individuals were taken into custody.
A search of Zepeda revealed a syringe in his shoe, which he admitted was for methamphetamine use. White allegedly stated she had marijuana in her shoe, and a plastic bag containing marijuana was recovered from her left shoe by Officer Manke. Police recovered 16 grams of marijuana.
According to the affidavit, White later stated that Zepeda was attempting to empty the methamphetamine into the McDonald’s cup while being pulled over and then placed the bag under her seat. Zepeda reportedly said they had just purchased the methamphetamine and that he gave the bag to White to dispose of when they were stopped.
Due to conflicting accounts and the possibility that both individuals had possession, they were detained. Jasmine D. White faces preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana. Manuel Zepeda is facing charges of illegal possession of a syringe and possession of meth
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
