By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• A 61-year-old Leeds, Alabama, woman was arrested Jan. 14 after police said she interfered with a traffic stop and attempted to obstruct officers.
• Police said the stop involved a Hispanic man found with methamphetamine, a stolen handgun, and suspected immigration violations.
• Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin warned the public against interfering with lawful police actions.
• The woman is charged with obstructing governmental operations.
• The male suspect was held on state charges and will be transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody upon release.
LEEDS, AL — A Leeds woman was arrested Jan. 14 and charged with obstructing governmental operations after police said she attempted to interfere with a traffic stop involving a man who was later found with illegal drugs and a stolen firearm.
Leeds Police Department officers pulled over 41-year-old Jacob Garcia Martinez on President Street for a traffic violation earlier this month. During the stop, officers said they discovered methamphetamine and a stolen handgun in Martinez’s possession and determined he was in the United States illegally.
Police said 61-year-old Mary Lisa Everling blocked the road with her vehicle, honked repeatedly, and placed herself between the suspect’s and officers’ vehicles while refusing to comply with lawful orders.
Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin stated in a briefing that Everling exited her vehicle and attempted to prevent officers from conducting the lawful stop and arrest. “You might can do that somewhere else, but not here in Alabama,” Irwin said.
Martinez was taken into custody without further incident and charged with multiple offenses, including unlawful possession of a controlled substance and a stolen firearm. He was being held in the Jefferson County Jail on bond and is expected to be transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement upon release.