Man found with drugs, reserve ECSO deputy badge

A man was charged after he was reportedly found in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana, multiple forms of false identifying information, including a reserve Ector County Sheriff’s Office deputy badge, and several stolen items.
Jesse Russell Jr., 36, was charged Wednesday with possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree felony, possession of fraudulent identifying information, a third-degree felony, tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor, and theft, a class B misdemeanor. Jail records also showed an evading arrest or detention charge, a class A misdemeanor.
Russell reportedly stole property from Academy Sports and Outdoors and was walking in the Marshalls area and placing stolen items in a white Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Russell actively walked away from Odessa Police Department officers and when they gave him a verbal command to stop, he walked toward the OPD patrol unit, the affidavit detailed.
While OPD officers patted Russell down, two witnesses saw Russell throw four blue tinted plastic baggies containing a white crystallized substance in the bed of a truck, the affidavit stated. Each of the baggies tested positive for meth.
The Monte Carlo was searched and officers found items belonging to Academy Sports and Outdoors, which totaled $15.58, and Marshalls, which totaled $174.92, the affidavit detailed. Less than two ounces of marijuana and additional meth were also reportedly found in the car. The total amount of meth was four ounces, which enhanced his charged from a state jail felony to a third-degree felony.
There were also ten forms of identifying information inside the Monte Carlo that didn’t belong to Russell, the affidavit stated. It included paycheck stubs, credit cards, personal checks and a reserve ECSO deputy badge.
Russell was charged, arrested and transported to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center. He has six bonds totaling $82,500 and was still in custody as of Friday afternoon, jail records show.