Cleveland men found with 4.2 grams of meth during traffic stop

CLEVELAND — In the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 19, Cleveland Police Department Sgt. J. Mendoza was patrolling the area near the 2300 block of N. Washington Ave. While doing so, he observed a white 2014 Ford Focus, which displayed an obscured temporary Texas dealer tag that did not match the vehicle’s description.

Mendoza conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the vehicle’s driver, identified as 52-year-old Cleveland resident Don Allen Denton. The front seat passenger was identified as 47-year-old Cleveland resident Weslee Edward Bartee.

When Mendoza requested Denton’s license and proof of financial responsibility, Denton stated that he did not have it.

Denton was then instructed to exit the vehicle and was asked by Mendoza if he had any weapons or drugs on him. He was also asked if he would comply with a search. Denton immediately consented to the search and denied having anything on him. He was taken into custody for not having a driver’s license available on demand and for not having valid vehicle insurance.

He was placed into the rear seat of the patrol unit as Mendoza returned to the vehicle to speak with Bartee, instructing him to exit the vehicle.

Upon providing Denton and Bartee’s names to Cleveland police dispatchers, it was discovered that Bartee had outstanding warrants through Livingston PD for Theft of Property and outstanding warrants through the Liberty County Sheriff ’s Office for Manufacturing and Delivery of a Controlled Substance. He was then placed into custody for the active warrants.

Mendoza then learned from dispatchers that Denton had eight traffic warrants through the Cleveland Municipal Courts.

With Denton and Bartee in the patrol unit, Mendoza returned to the Ford Focus to conduct a vehicle inventory. He discovered a clear cellophane bag in the vehicle’s center console containing a crystal-like substance.

Upon questioning, Bartee denied the substance belonged to him. When Denton was questioned, however, he took ownership. Mendoza believed the substance to be methamphetamine.

Denton was advised that he would be held in custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance, which is a 2nd-degree felony due to the amount in his possession. He is also being held on his eight traffic warrants, totaling $3,116.10.

Bartee was placed into custody for Felony and Misdemeanor warrants from other jurisdictions. Both Denton and Bartee were transported to the Cleveland Police Department Jail and were booked in.

Denton’s bond was later set at $25,000 by City of Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Ralph Fuller, and he was later transported to Liberty County Jail.

The methamphetamine in his possession weighed approximately 4.2 grams.

While in custody, Bartee was released due to medical concerns. His warrants will be re-issued.