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Noah Isaiah Lazarus Patron Courtesy of Washita County Sheriff’s Office
A Clinton man was arrested earlier this month in Cordell and is facing up to three years in prison. Noah Isaiah Lazarus Patron was charged with a felony count of unauthorized use of a vehicle and a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance after being pulled over by Cordell police Aug. 4, 2019.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Cordell Police Office Trevor Stewart observed a 2017 Nissan Juke pass by him on the 1500 North block of Glenn English at around 9:00 p.m. He recognized the vehicle as one that had been reported stolen earlier in the day, and followed the vehicle until he could read the license tag. After confirming the tag matched that of the stolen vehicle, Stewart initiated a traffic stop.
During the course of the felony stop, Stewart discovered several knives and a multi-tool in the waistband of Patron’s pants. Stewart handcuffed him instructed him to sit and wait in the police vehicle. At that time, according to the affidavit, Patron told Stewart he had contacted the vehicle’s owner and made arrangements to return the vehicle and was en route to do so when he was pulled over. Stewart requested Washita County Dispatch contact the registered owner to corroborate Patron’s story.
While waiting for dispatch to confirm, Stewart indicated he could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. He opened the passenger door of the car and observed what he described as a “gold like foil object sticking out of the top of a 12-pack of Dr. Pepper container,” from which he extracted a green leaflike substance. He then discovered a bag on the back seat floor.
Stewart reported he then returned to Patron and asked him if there was anything illegal in the car. Patron indicated he was unaware of anything illegal in the vehicle and denied that the bag in the back seat was his. Stewart searched the bag and found a loaded .22 caliber revolver and additional ammunition. The handle of the revolver had “N. Patron” scratched into it. The bag also reportedly contained a wallet with Patron’s driver’s license and social security card.
Further searching of the car revealed a clear plastic bag containing a green leaf-like substance that field tested positive for marijuana under the driver’s seat.
During the search, dispatch was unable to confirm Patron’s story about making arrangements to return the vehicle to its registered owner. He was arrested without incident and transported to the Washita County Justice Center.
If convicted, Patron could be sentenced to up to two years for the felony auto count and one year for the misdemeanor possession.