Arkansas Trooper Escamilla's Incredible Arrest That Left Criminal Speechless #2-Freeway Cams GOTCHA!

On 12-2-24, I, Trooper A. Escamilla, was patrolling Interstate 40 East near the 165-mile marker. I observed a White Mazda SUV bearing Oklahoma LPN (LXV496) traveling in the number two lane. The vehicle was traveling over the posted speed limit,so I activated my front antenna on my radar, which confirmed that the White Mazda SUV was traveling 78 miles per hour in a75-mile-per-hour zone.I initiated a traffic stop around the 166-mile marker and made contact with the driver who was identified as Jenny Du. I advised Jenny of who I was, the agency I represented, and the reason for the stop. Jenny acknowledged the reason for the stop. While making contact with Jenny, I smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from her vehicle. I asked Jenny to exit the vehicle and come to my vehicle.I asked Jenny where she was coming from and she stated that she was coming from Conway Arkansas and was traveling to a casino known as Southland near Memphis Tennessee. 

I asked Jenny how long she planned on being there and she said only for that day and would be returning home to go to work. I asked Jenny who her passenger was and she stated it was her best friend who was identified as Tianna Vo.I asked Jenny if there was anything illegal in the vehicle and she stated “No”. In particular, I asked if she had any marijuana in the vehicle to which she stated “no”. I asked Jenny for consent to search the vehicle and she stated “Do you have a warrant to search”. I informed her that I did not need a warrant as I had probable cause to search the vehicle. I placed Jenny in the rear of my vehicle as I conducted a probable cause vehicle search of her car. I had the passenger Tianna exit the vehicle.I opened the rear of the vehicle and located 2 large duffle bags and 1 trash bag. Inside the bags were vacuum-sealed packages containing marijuana. 

I placed Jenny and Tianna under arrest. I read both of them their Miranda rights and they both stated that they wished to speak to their attorney.I contacted Taylor’s Towing to impound the vehicle and transport it to the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office to offload the marijuana there. Once the vehicle was offloaded, Taylor’s towing took possession of the marijuana. A total of 71 packages were in all the bags. All the evidence was transferred to the 17th Judicial Drug Task Force Agent. Both Jenny and Tianna were charged accordingly.