Two Traffic Stops Net Drugs, Four Arrests in Wichita Falls

For the Wichita Falls Police Department, it was like hitting the lottery, sort of. Two separate traffic stops on Tuesday night netted drugs, a firearm and four arrests.

Officers spotted silver Kia Sorrento in the area of Airport Drive and Central Freeway. The vehicle was driven by a subject the officers had dealt with recently.  The officers knew the driver did not have a valid driver’s license and pulled him over.

Officers saw a small bag tossed from the passenger side window.They recovered the bag and found methamphetamine inside.

The driver was identified as 29-year-old Jose Whitfield. The passenger was identified as 27-year-old Malinda Pittman. Whitfield was also found to be in possession of marijuana. Numerous prescription pills were also found in the vehicle. Whitfield was arrested for Manufacturing/Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1 over 4 grams under 200 grams, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 3 under 28 grams, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.

Officers seized .35 ounces of marijuana, 42.5 grams of methamphetamine, and 2.8 grams of prescription pills.  Pittman was arrested on unrelated warrants. Whitfield remains in the Wichita County Jail as of Thursday morning. Pittman is not listed as an inmate at the Wichita County Jail as of Thursday morning.

The next traffic stop took place about 15 minutes later near 22^ndStreet and Central Freeway. Officers pulled over a silver Chrysler van.  A K-9 unit was called in to conduct an open air narcotics search.  The K-9 alerted officers to the presence of drugs in the vehicle.

Methamphetamine was found, along with a firearm. 29-year-old Pedro Suarez and 28-year-old Tara Purvis were charged with Manufacturing/Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1 over 4 grams under 200 grams. Due to Suarez being a convicted felon he was also charged with a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  Both Suarez and Purvis remain in the Wichita County Jail as of Thursday morning.