Traffic Stop Ends With Money Laundering Charge

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reports that on Monday, March 1 around 10:15 a.m. Drug Interdiction Investigator David Smith conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 10 westbound at the 661 mile maker near Flatonia for a traffic violation on a 2020 Toyota pickup. After contact with the driver Smith observed many criminal indicators and requested a K-9 for assistance. Sgt. Randy Thumann and his K-9 Kolt assisted Smith at the stop. Kolt alerted to the vehicle and a subsequent search revealed five vacuum sealed bundles of US currency hidden in the tailgate of the truck. Arrested and transported to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center was 42-year-old Jorge Cortez of Laredo who was charged with Felony Money Laundering. Currency amount recovered totaled $75,775.