Sonora, CA…On Sunday, February 19th around 2:45 PM, Deputy Sandelin conducted a traffic stop on Quail Mine Road near Big Hill Road in Sonora. The blue 1998 VW Passat displayed a 2017 registration sticker that appeared to be tampered with. DMV records confirmed the vehicle’s registration to have been expired since 2015. The driver, 43 year old Hubbard Wilson, was driving on a suspended driver’s license, had no proof of insurance, had expired vehicle registration, and displayed a false registration tag on the vehicle.

His passenger, 28 year old Ashley Menking, admitted to having paraphernalia in her purse. A hypodermic needle, several small ziplock baggies and cotton balls with a crystalline substance were found in the purse.

A records check of the male passenger, 39 year old Stephen Belt, showed he was wanted for a felony probationer at large warrant for violation of post community supervision on charges of possessing drugs in jail and possessing or manufacturing a dangerous weapon. Belt also told deputies he had a methamphetamine pipe in his pants.

A third passenger, 21 year old Jalynne Castro, had two fixed blade knives hidden in her boots that were readily accessible. A search of her backpack produced close to 100 pills without a prescription. The deputy placed Castro under arrest and told her she was going to be transported to the county jail. He asked her if she had anything else hidden on her person and she admitted to having a marijuana and a methamphetamine smoking pipe in her bra.

Wilson and Menking were cited at the scene and given a court date to appear.
Belt and Castro were transported and booked into the Tuolumne County Jail.
Belt was booked for possession of drug use paraphernalia and his outstanding felony warrant.
Castro is facing charges of possession of a concealed fixed blade knife, possession of drug use paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.