MARIJUANA, MONEY RECOVERED DURING THREE LATE-NIGHT ARRESTS

Late night traffic stops by a Gregg County sheriff's deputy and a Texas
Department of Public Safety trooper netted three arrests, 45 pounds of
marijuana and a large sum of money.

Deputy James Benson stopped the white 2000 Dodge Stratus driven by Cadona
Leprece Goldsmith, 28, of Ruston, La., at 11:37 p.m. Tuesday at the
585-mile marker on Interstate 20 after observing her heading eastbound at
70 mph in a 65 mph zone, according to arrest reports.

Goldsmith, who was alone in the car, appeared to be extremely nervous,
Benson wrote in his arrest report, with her hands trembling as she got her
drivers license from her wallet.

Benson was also suspicious of the woman after discovering the car had been
rented by another person who was not in the car, the report said.

Those suspicions prompted him to ask for Goldsmith for permission to search
the car, which she granted, the arrest report said.

Benson found two large black trash bags in the spare tire compartment,
containing a total of eight bricks of marijuana, according to the report.
The drugs weighed about 45 pounds.

At the same time and place Benson had pulled Goldsmith over, DPS Trooper
Bob Powell had pulled over a red 1994 Chrysler directly behind Benson for a
traffic violation. The report did not list the violation.

In that car were driver Thomas Dewayne Fletcher, 34, of Ruston and
passenger Jerry Glenn Lewis, 42 of Monroe, La., who were the lessee and
additional driver listed on Goldsmith's car rental agreement, linking both
men to the marijuana, the report said.

Powell also found a large amount of cash in a black bag in the trunk of the
Chrysler, the report said. The report did not say how much money was found.

Goldsmith, Fletcher and Lewis were all charged with possession of
marijuana, which is a third-degree felony because of the amount involved.
Fletcher and Lewis were released from the Gregg County Jail Monday on
$25,000 bond while Goldsmith was freed on $20,000 bond.