California Man Charged in a Federal Complaint in Connection with a Traffic Stop

St. Louis, MO – Jonathan Bobadilla-Soto, 26, of Adelanto, California, was charged in a federal criminal complaint regarding a traffic stop which resulted in the seizure of approximately 34 pounds of ICE (crystal methamphetamine). 

According to the affidavit of the complaint, on September 12, 2018, Task Force Officers stopped a white colored Chevrolet Traverse SUV travelling westbound on Interstate 70 in Foristell, Missouri, for a traffic violation of failing to signal when changing lanes and for failing to stop at a red light. The driver, Jonathan Bobadilla-Soto, and front seat passenger were informed by the officers the reason for the stop and began to converse with Bobadilla-Soto about his purpose of his travel.  Officers asked Bobadilla-Soto for consent to search the vehicle for suspected illegal narcotics or large bulk currency, which he granted. 

After a brief search of the vehicle and while opening the rear SUV hatch by an officer, the hatch would not automatically stay up and came crashing down on the officer. After the officer became suspicious that the hatch was too heavy to remain in the open position, he observed a small gap in the plastic interior molding of the hatch.  After dismantling the rear SUV hatch, officers discovered 17 individually wrapped bundles of ICE, placed inside the vehicle’s natural void.  A continued search revealed five (5) individually wrapped bundles in the rear passenger side quarter panel, six (6) individually wrapped bundles in the rear ceiling compartment and six (6) individually wrapped bundles in the rear driver side quarter panel which all contained ICE.

Bobadilla-Soto was charged with one felony count of Possession with Intent to Distribute ICE.  The United States Attorney requested that he be detained pending trial.   

As is always the case, charges set forth in the complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

This case is being investigated by the St. Charles County Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant United States Attorney Beth Orwick is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.