An Odessa officer looking for a wanted man instead ending up arresting a local woman on drug, theft and firearm charges Tuesday.
According to an Odessa Police Department report, an officer was dispatched to the 1200 block of South Jackson Street about a man wanted on several warrants by the Ector County Sheriff’s Office.
When the officer arrived, he was told the wanted man lived in a recreational vehicle on the property, the report stated. The officer found Emily Mata, 30, inside the RV and she invited him inside to search for the wanted man.
Instead of finding the man, the officer found several glass pipes and methamphetamine in plain sight, the report stated. The officer also discovered the $40,000 RV had been reported stolen to the ECSO.
The officer obtained a warrant to search the RV and discovered methamphetamine inside a kitchen cabinet and on a glass dish in the kitchen. He also found a .38 caliber revolver, the report stated.
Mata was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm and theft of property, $30,000-$150,000. All three charges are third-degree felonies punishable by two to 10 years in prison.
She remained in the Ector County jail Wednesday on surety bonds totaling $35,000.
