Pair nabbed for drugs in home with a child

GONZALES — Two people were jailed and authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a third person after police said they found drug residue inside a home while a child was present.

On the evening of May 20, Officer Alberto Carrera arrived at the 1400 block of Cavett St. in reference to a civil standby with Child Protective Services, Capt. Allen Taylor reported. While checking the house at that location officers found a scale used for weighing narcotics, as well as a whisk containing a substance tested to be cocaine residue. Officers said a child was present in the home at the time.

A further search of the house led to the discovery of a small plastic wrapper that also contained cocaine residue, as well as other items containing the drug.

Maria Linda Flores, 58, of Gonzales, told officers that Louis Banda, 31, also of Gonzales, was not supposed to be living at the residence but was doing so anyway. She added that Banda had been cooking cocaine in the house.

Probable cause warrants were then written up and presented to County Judge David Bird, who issued arrest warrants for Flores and Banda, charging them with endangering a child. They were taken to Gonzales County Jail. An additional warrant on the same charges was issued for Rebecca Ramos, 32, of Gonzales, who had not been arrested as of press time Thursday.

On the afternoon of May 21, Officer Carrera was dispatched to the 700 block of East Wallace St. in reference to a disturbance in progress. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the victim, who said Jason Dean Esparza, 32, of Gonzales, was in her backyard.

Carrera eventually found Esparza, who had been hiding under the house. After being ordered to come out, Esparza was detained as Officer J.D. Holt arrived on the scene.

Esparza then informed officers he and the victim had been arguing inside the house, and that she had scratched him on the neck. Officers found marks on Esparza that were consistent with his claims, Taylor said.

The victim told officers she and Esparza were dating, and that they had gotten into an argument that led to Esparza pushing her. She said when tried to call 911, Esparza tried to take her cell phone from her, leading to her scratching him. Esparza eventually got the phone away from her and smashed it against a wall, Taylor said.

The victim also said Esparza had struck her in the back of the head with his fist in front of the children, and officers found a bump on the back of her head that was consistent with her claim. Esparza was then placed under arrest and charged with assault family violence and interfering with an emergency phone call. He was transported to Gonzales County Jail.