Donald Ray Beaty of Livingston was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.
Traffic Stop Leads to Meth Bust and Arrest of 2, LIVINGSTON, December 4, 2010 - On December 1, 2010, Deputy Mike Nettles was patrolling near FM-3126 and FM-350 when he attempted a traffic stop on gray Ford Taurus. As Deputy Nettles activated his emergency lights, the driver drove to the opposite lane of traffic and refused to stop. The vehicle finally stopped next to a wooded area. As Nettles pulled up, the driver Donald Ray Beaty, threw his vehicle into reverse and exited the car, fleeing into the woods. In the process of fleeing, Beaty dropped a black bag containing a small amount of methamphetamine, scales, and a used syringe. Deputies set up a perimeter but Beaty was not found and after a lengthy search, the search was called off. As it turns out, there was a warrant out for Beaty's arrest issued by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for a parole violation. There was also a passenger in the car identified as Sharon Mary Villa who was placed under arrest when she was found in possession of methamphetamine. Villa was transported to Polk County Jail, where she was found to be in possession of more methamphetamine. Villa was charged with possession of methamphetamine and additionally charged with bringing meth into a correctional facility.
December 2... Deputy Nettles and Narcotics Detective Randy Turner received information on the whereabouts of Beaty's vehicle which was located at a residence located off Nelson Road getting repaired. As Nettles and Turner arrived at the residence, Donald Beaty exited the house and ran into the woods located at the back of the residence. The deputies pursued Beaty on foot and caught him, and after a brief struggle cuffed Beaty and placed him under arrest. Nettles and Turner then entered the house to check for other occupants and upon entering the residence smelled a strong chemical smell consistent with manufacturing of methamphetamine. A search warrant was obtained and during the search officers found evidence of a meth lab. The search continued and they uncovered 28.8 grams of methamphetamine.
Donald Ray Beaty was booked into Polk County Jail and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, evading arrest, and there was still the parole warrant from Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Additionally, Beaty will be charged with evading on December 1 and possession of methamphetamine that was found in his black bag that he dropped when he initially fled from Nettles at the traffic stop.
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