Texas - Police in Floresville believe some customers frequenting a McDonald's there might have been in line for something other than food after they arrested an employee accused of selling marijuana out of the restaurant last week.
Estevan Quiroz, 20, was charged with possession of marijuana between 2 and 4 ounces, a Class A misdemeanor.
The same day, police booked James Pacheco, 26, also a McDonald's employee, on a charge of possession of marijuana under 2 ounces, a Class B misdemeanor. Investigators do not suspect Pacheco in the drug operation, said Floresville police Lt. Jesse Evins.
Pacheco of Floresville previously has pleaded guilty to possession of the drug three times, most recently in January, when he was convicted of having marijuana between 4 ounces and 5 pounds.
It wasn't disclosed Wednesday when McDonald's hired Quiroz and Pacheco. Police said Quiroz's customers sent him text messages or called him on his cell phone, asking if he had any available product.
If he did, Quiroz texted them back yes. They showed up at the store and met him in the restaurant bathroom, where the transactions took place.
Though Evins said investigators believe the sales took place daily, a manager on duty was unaware of the activity.
A manager who answered the phone at the restaurant Wednesday directed calls to the McDonald's office in San Antonio.
Later, Floresville McDonald's owner Ned Stagg said in a written statement he has “zero tolerance for this kind of behavior,” and added that the men “no longer work for my organization.”
“We require all employees to be in full compliance with local, state and federal laws as well as adhere to our own stringent employment practices,” Stagg wrote. “We have taken appropriate action consistent with our employment policies.”
He directed further questions to Floresville police.
Though police had received several calls about the possibility of drug sales at the restaurant, they got their most specific tip from an anonymous call Dec. 16, Evins said.
Officers went to the store on U.S. 181, where they spotted Quiroz and Pacheco walking out from behind a secured trash bin on the McDonald's property.
Both men, who were on duty and in McDonald's uniforms, smelled of marijuana, Evins said.
Officers questioned them, and the men admitted having pot. A search of their vehicles revealed 11/2 joints (one was half-smoked) in Pacheco's ashtray. In Quiroz's vehicle, the officer discovered four small bags of marijuana, packaged for sale, wedged in the space between the driver and passenger seats, Evins said.
Quiroz had three more baggies on his person, the lieutenant added. He said Quiroz eventually admitted he sold pot from out of the McDonald's store.
After more questioning, officers received consent from Quiroz's father to search his home, just north of Floresville near the Wilson County line. There, officers found more marijuana and drug paraphernalia, Evins said.
Both men posted bail the day after their arrests and were released from the Wilson County Jail.
Evins said drug transactions like these are not common in Floresville, a town with a population of around 7,300.
“It's appalling that anyone would bring illegal drugs into a restaurant where children frequent,” Evins said.
News Hawk- Weedpipe 420 Magazine
Source: San Antonio Express-News
Author: Vianna Davila
Contact: mySA.com | Express-News
Copyright: 2009 San Antonio Express-News
Website:Two charged after pot allegedly sold at Floresville McDonald's
Estevan Quiroz, 20, was charged with possession of marijuana between 2 and 4 ounces, a Class A misdemeanor.
The same day, police booked James Pacheco, 26, also a McDonald's employee, on a charge of possession of marijuana under 2 ounces, a Class B misdemeanor. Investigators do not suspect Pacheco in the drug operation, said Floresville police Lt. Jesse Evins.
Pacheco of Floresville previously has pleaded guilty to possession of the drug three times, most recently in January, when he was convicted of having marijuana between 4 ounces and 5 pounds.
It wasn't disclosed Wednesday when McDonald's hired Quiroz and Pacheco. Police said Quiroz's customers sent him text messages or called him on his cell phone, asking if he had any available product.
If he did, Quiroz texted them back yes. They showed up at the store and met him in the restaurant bathroom, where the transactions took place.
Though Evins said investigators believe the sales took place daily, a manager on duty was unaware of the activity.
A manager who answered the phone at the restaurant Wednesday directed calls to the McDonald's office in San Antonio.
Later, Floresville McDonald's owner Ned Stagg said in a written statement he has “zero tolerance for this kind of behavior,” and added that the men “no longer work for my organization.”
“We require all employees to be in full compliance with local, state and federal laws as well as adhere to our own stringent employment practices,” Stagg wrote. “We have taken appropriate action consistent with our employment policies.”
He directed further questions to Floresville police.
Though police had received several calls about the possibility of drug sales at the restaurant, they got their most specific tip from an anonymous call Dec. 16, Evins said.
Officers went to the store on U.S. 181, where they spotted Quiroz and Pacheco walking out from behind a secured trash bin on the McDonald's property.
Both men, who were on duty and in McDonald's uniforms, smelled of marijuana, Evins said.
Officers questioned them, and the men admitted having pot. A search of their vehicles revealed 11/2 joints (one was half-smoked) in Pacheco's ashtray. In Quiroz's vehicle, the officer discovered four small bags of marijuana, packaged for sale, wedged in the space between the driver and passenger seats, Evins said.
Quiroz had three more baggies on his person, the lieutenant added. He said Quiroz eventually admitted he sold pot from out of the McDonald's store.
After more questioning, officers received consent from Quiroz's father to search his home, just north of Floresville near the Wilson County line. There, officers found more marijuana and drug paraphernalia, Evins said.
Both men posted bail the day after their arrests and were released from the Wilson County Jail.
Evins said drug transactions like these are not common in Floresville, a town with a population of around 7,300.
“It's appalling that anyone would bring illegal drugs into a restaurant where children frequent,” Evins said.
News Hawk- Weedpipe 420 Magazine
Source: San Antonio Express-News
Author: Vianna Davila
Contact: mySA.com | Express-News
Copyright: 2009 San Antonio Express-News
Website:Two charged after pot allegedly sold at Floresville McDonald's
