On Jan. 22, a northbound 1999 Ford truck was stopped for a lane violation on Interstate 35 in Daviess County.
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During the traffic stop, information provided by the driver caused the trooper to become suspicious of the occupants, thus the trooper asked to search the pickup. The driver consented and troopers found what they believed to be a void area near the front of the pickup’s bed. A patrol canine made a positive indication for the odor of narcotics, and officers found 111 pounds of marijuana.
The driver, Abisai Benitiz, 38, of Austin, Texas, was arrested for possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver. A passenger, Maria Jaimes, 34, also of Austin, Texas, was arrested for possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver. Both subjects had a Texas driver’s license but appear to be illegally in the United States. They were taken to the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail. Bond was denied.
The Ford pickup was towed from the scene.
The charges for which these individuals have been arrested are mere accusation and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.