Three Meth Arrests in Coles County

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Published on July 2 2020 7:09 pm
Last Updated on July 2 2020 7:09 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The East Central Illinois Drug Task Force, Mattoon Police Department, and Coles County Sheriff's Department, arrested a trio at around 7:30pm Wednesday, as they were traveling South on I-57 towards Mattoon. The incident began as a simple traffic stop made by the Coles County Sheriff’s Department, when officers stopped a pair of vehicles traveling together on I-57 nearing Mattoon.

The first vehicle was stopped on I-57 near County Road 1000 North and the occupants were identified as 32 year old Jonathan B. Rider, and 29 year old Melissa S. Sanders, both of Mattoon. Both Rider and Sanders were found to be in possession of methamphetamine during the time of the stop. Sanders was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine (Class X Felony), and Rider was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine (Class 1 Felony). Both were taken to the Coles County Jail.

The second vehicle involved fled from police into Mattoon off of I-57, where the male driver exited the vehicle near Home Depot, and ran into a corn field. For a while, officers had the field surrounded, and a K9 team was utilized in the field. The male subject was apprehended, and was found to also be in possession of methamphetamine. He was identified as being 27 year old Jose Puebla of Humboldt, IL. Puebla was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver (Class X Felony), Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class A Misdemeanor), and Resisting / Obstructing a Police Officer (Class A Misdemeanor). Puebla was also taken to the Coles County Jail.