On Monday, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force went to Gulf Tire, located at 2595 Kynesville Road in Alford, to attempt to serve an Arrest Warrant on Richard E. Stevens for Failure to Pay Sales Tax.

Investigators had received information that Stevens may be manufacturing Methamphetamine at his shop.

Stevens granted permission for Investigators to search his shop.

After a search of the building, numerous precursor chemicals used in the manufacture and use of Methamphetamine was located. The items located included Heet fuel treatment, a large quantity of matches, iodine, pseudoephedrine cold pills, bottle that had contained muriatic acid, starter fluid, digital scales and glass smoking pipes.

Stevens told Investigators that some of the items mentioned were to be picked up later by other individuals for the manufacture of Methamphetamine.

Richard E. Stevens was placed under arrest and charged with Possession of Listed Chemicals, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Violation of State Probation (Georgia), and Failure to Pay Sales Tax.

Also arrested was Stevens’ girlfriend, Kimberly Parker, who also resides at Gulf Tire with Stevens.

Parker was arrested for the Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

While at Gulf Tire, Cruz Valdez drove his vehicle into the parking lot at the shop. Investigators observed that Valdez had multiple vehicle equipment violations.

When asked by Investigators to produce identification Valdez supplied Investigators with a Mexican Driver’s License, which is not valid in the United States.

It was found that Valdez had an active warrant in Jackson County for Failure to Appear on previous violations of driving without a license.

Valdez was placed under arrest for the warrant and a search of his person and vehicle reveled that he was in possession of Methamphetamine as well as digital scales and several containers used to hide illegal contraband.

Cruz Valdez was charged in addition to the active warrant with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Valid Driver’s License.

The Jackson County Drug Task Force has contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in order to place a hold on Cruz Valdez for deportation.

After Cruz Valdez addresses the criminal charges he will be deported back to Mexico. It is believed that Cruz Valdez is not a citizen of the United States of America.