Early Wednesday morning, an El Paso County Sheriff's Office patrol sergeant spotted a stolen GMC Acadia near Peterson Road, launching what would soon become a significant narcotics seizure. The sergeant attempted to securely follow the vehicle until backup could arrive to assist. The encounter escalated near Boulder Street and Union Blvd. as deputies maneuvered to block the vehicle's escape, according to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
Upon being cornered, the driver, identified as 41-year-old Tasavion Butler, decided to make a break for it on foot, but his attempt was quickly thwarted by law enforcement. Meanwhile, two passengers inside the Acadia were detained without resistance. The vehicle search uncovered a trove of illicit substances, including over a thousand fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, MDMA, heroin, and both drug paraphernalia and cash indicative of narcotics distribution. Butler is now facing multiple serious charges, as reported by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
Butler, now held on a $50,000 bond, has been slapped with a litany of charges ranging from special offender status to second-degree motor vehicle theft and various drug-related offenses. His swift apprehension underscores the sheriff's office's commitment to clamping down on the local drug trade. One of the passengers, 44-year-old Stephanie Schnek, had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant and was taken into custody, currently held with no bond.
