Meth Dealer Takes Plea Deal in San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, TX — A San Angelo drug dealer has taken a plea deal that will put him behind bars.

Edgar Coates, 50, has taken a plea deal for the manufacture and delivery of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on January 11, 2024, just after 1 p.m., a Tom Green County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a blue Toyota pickup traveling northbound on North Jefferson Street near Shiloh Street. The suspect vehicle’s registration sticker displayed 4/22 and it also had a large fracture on the front windshield.

The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle in the 200 block of North Jefferson Street. He approached the driver who was identified as Coates.

A knife was observed in Coates's pocket and when he was asked if there were any more weapons, to which Coates said he had a pellet gun in the vehicle. A large hunting-style knife was also found inside a backpack.

Coates was placed under arrest for expired registration and an obstructed windshield. The deputy searched Coates and located a black latex glove. Inside this glove were multiple clear baggies containing a white crystal-like substance, which was identified as methamphetamine.

A probable cause search of Coates’ vehicle was performed and a black hard plastic case containing hypodermic needles and several small plastic jeweler bags was found. One of the syringes contained a clear liquid.

Due to the large amount of methamphetamine found on Coates, he was placed under arrest for manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance, operating a motor vehicle with expired registration, and obstructed view through the windshield.

A "narcotic identification kit" field test was conducted, and the white crystal-like substance and clear liquid came up positive for the presence of methamphetamine. The total weight of the meth was approximately 37.04 grams.

In exchange for a guilty plea, Coates was sentenced to 25 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.