Convicted Felon Indicted for Drug Dealing and Unlawful Firearm Possession

SAN ANGELO, TX – A Tom Green County Grand Jury Indicted Erik Rodriguez Morales on July 8 on multiple charges including Manufacturing or Delivery of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. 

On May 2, 2020 at approximately 1:42 a.m. a Deputy Zavala with the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on a silver in color 2011 Toyota Avalon which pulled into the parking lot of the Red Roof Inn off of S. Bryant Blvd in San Angelo. 

The driver was identified as 38-year-old Erik Rodriguez Morales by his driver's license which he willingly provided to the deputy during the stop.

As Deputy Zavala questioned Morales he noticed Morales adjusting an unknown item on the right side of his body near the middle console of the vehicle. 

Morales was immediately asked to exit the vehicle and followed Deputy Zavala to the rear of the vehicle for further questioning.

As Deputy Zavala continued to question Morales, Morales turned away from the deputy before quickly taking off on foot. 

A search of the area was conducted shortly after the pursuit, however authorities were unable locate Morales for twelve days until his arrest on May 14. 

Following a failed attempt at locating Morales an inventory search of his vehicle was conducted where deputies located a loaded Taurus .38 revolver in between the driver's seat and the center console of the vehicle.

Deputies also located two digital scales and several plastic baggies that contained suspected methamphetamine. 

Field tests were done on the contents found inside the three baggies tested positive for methamphetamine. 

One of the plastic bags contained approximately 29.2 grams of methamphetamine, while the other two bags had various weights ranging from 5.75 grams to 1.44 grams. 

In their search Deputies also located handwritten ledgers in the vehicle showing subjects names, and dollar amounts next to each name. 

On May 14, Erik Morales was arrested by TGCSO officials at approximately 3:58 p.m. where he was held on multiple charges carrying roughly $150,000 in bond. 

On July 8, Morales was indicted by a Tom Green County Grand Jury on two charges including Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance 1 > =4G<200G and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Known Felon. 

Due to Morales criminal history after already having two prior felony convictions the charge of Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance 1 > =4G<200G, was enhanced to a first degree felony and the charge of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Known Felon, a Third Degree Felony was enhanced to a Second Degree Felony. 

At this time Erik Morales is currently sitting in the Tom Green County Detention Center in lieu of $160,000 in bond awaiting an initial pre-trial hearing scheduled for September 1, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.