Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that on Monday the 19th day of July 2010 at 6:20 PM Investigators of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force were training Deputies of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force and stopped a vehicle on Interstate 10 for a traffic infraction that resulted in the arrest of Angel Christopher Godinez, B/M, DOB: 03/15/1992 of Ft. Walton Beach, FL and the seizure of $10,040.00 in US currency that is now pending forfeiture proceedings.

The Drug Task Force Investigators detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle along with other signs of criminal activity. The Drug Task Force canine was deployed and gave a positive alert on the vehicle for the presence of narcotic odor. A probable cause search was conducted. During the search investigators located a small amount of marijuana along with a digital scale containing small pieces of marijuana on it. Investigators also located a plastic shopping bag containing dirty clothing on the rear floor board. Commingled within the clothing, investigators located 10 bundles of currency packaged in a manner that is indicative of a drug courier’s fashion of transporting currency used for drug transactions.

Angel Christopher Godinez was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resisting Arrest without Violence.

The Drug Task Force Investigators were assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force officers.