Dam-B Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Meth Arrest, Deputies Say

Photo by Tyler County Sheriff's Office

DAM-B, Texas — A late-night traffic stop in the Dam-B/Town Bluff area ended with a felony drug arrest after Tyler County deputies say they discovered methamphetamine inside a vehicle during a roadside search.

According to the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were patrolling FM 92 around 2:25 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, when they pulled over a Kia Nitro for a traffic violation near County Road 4175. Several individuals were inside the vehicle.

Deputies say that after speaking with the driver, probable cause was developed and consent to search the vehicle was granted. During that search, authorities say they located a baggie containing methamphetamine.

One of the passengers, Billie Jo Shanley, 44, of Dam-B, admitted the meth belonged to her, according to the report. Deputies say Shanley told them she intended to deliver the drugs to an ex-coworker who had asked her to “find some meth.”

Shanley was arrested and transported to the Tyler County Jail. She is charged with Felony Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance after deputies reported recovering 4.4 grams of methamphetamine. Justice of the Peace Mike Hughes set her bond at $50,000.

Tyler County Sheriff Bryan Weatherford encourages residents to report suspicious drug activity to Crime Stoppers at 936-639-TIPS.