Traffic Stop Leads to Felony

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reports on Tuesday morning around noon, Drug Interdiction Investigator David Smith conducted a traffic stop on I-10 westbound at the 661 mile marker on a 2019 grey Volkswagen Jetta for traffic violations.

“Upon contact with driver several criminal indicators were observed,” the report said. “After conversation with the driver Smith was given consent to search the vehicle which was occupied by the male driver and a male passenger.”

The report said Smith located a crown royal bag with air fresheners placed around the bag. In the bag, Smith located a large amount of cash banded consistent to that of drug trafficking.

Smith asked the passenger about money in the vehicle and he said he had no idea about the money. Smith then placed the driver 31-year-old Ivan Mauricio Gonzalez of Laredo, under arrest and the passenger 52-year-old Robert Florencio Delacruz was released with the vehicle.

Gonzalez was transported to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center and charged with Felony Money Laundering. Assisting at the scene was Deputy Herman Olvera and the total amount of cash bundles seized was $29,000.