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Eagle Lake PD shuts down illegal tattoo parlor; minor detained for marijuana possession
Some of the items found during the raid on the illegal tattoo parlor July 3.
Just after 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, the Eagle Lake Police Sgt. David Wetherall and Officer Neftali DeJesus led a raid on an illegal tattoo parlor on Austin Road in Eagle Lake, following a two-week investigation by DeJesus.
Eagle Lake Municipal Judge Stan Warfield issues a warrant for the arrest of Rafael Ruiz, 36, Eagle Lake, on Class A Misdemeanor charges of violating the state's tattooing and body piercing regulations under the Texas Health and Safety Code.
During service of the warrant, Ruiz was actively committing the crime he was charged with in the warrant, an ELPD spokesperson saod.
During the raid, Officer DeJesus and Officer Alvarez smelled the distinct odor of marijuana coming from inside the tattoo studio.
Officer DeJesus ordered all of the individuals to exit the building immediately and Sgt. Weatherall, Officer Alvarez, Officer Buckley, Officer Cantu, Officer Torres, and Officer Viera searched and investigated the individuals and the scene.
While searching the building Officer Buckley found a bag that contained 15.1 Oz. of marijuana, a drug scale, a handgun, and other drug paraphernalia.
Sgt. Weatherall also identified a 16-year-old minor that the bag, containing the drugs and handgun, allegedly belonged do; the minor was taken into custody, processed, and charged with Delivery of Marijuana and Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon by Officer Alvarez assisted by Officer Buckley and Sgt. Weatherall.
Ruiz was transported to the Colorado County Detention Center for confinement.