Michael Torrez arrested
Sedona AZ (August 5, 2015) – On August 3, 2015, at approximately 6:30 in the morning, a Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office K9 deputy stopped a blue Chrysler PT Cruiser for an equipment violation on a stretch of east AZ Interstate 40 between Seligman and Ash Fork, Arizona. Michael Torrez, 29, was driving with Miranda Baldonado, 19, and Sarah Valencia, 19, as passengers.
Baldonado was identified as the owner of the PT Cruiser, and the three occupants are from New Mexico.
While conversing with the riders, deputies noticed numerous signs of deception as the occupants of the vehicle appeared more nervous than the innocent motoring public. They were unable to answer basic questions that a group of passengers sharing a destination would commonly know. This development along with other factors established during the traffic stop, led deputies to believe the likelihood that narcotic contraband was being transported. Baldonado denied the request by deputies for a consent search. As a result, a YCSO K9 was deployed for a ‘free air’ sniff of the vehicle exterior.
Valencia arrested
While walking around the vehicle, the deputy saw his K9 alert on the right side of the trunk and hatchback area. A subsequent search of trunk revealed over a pound of heroin wrapped in condoms. Deputies also learned that Baldonado and Valencia had each secreted a quantity of heroin inside their ‘private area’ while the deputy was pulling them over. Valencia was able to retrieve the heroin, but Baldonado was unsuccessful. Baldonado was hospitalized briefly to allow medical personnel to remove the heroin safely.
Additional heroin was discovered during a follow-up search of the vehicle. The total weight of heroin recovered came to 1.8 pounds.
The man, Torrez, is on parole out of the State of New Mexico related to drug trafficking.
Baldonado arrested
As a result of the investigation, the suspects were booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Transportation of Narcotic Drugs for Sale, Possession of Narcotic Drugs for Sale, Possession and Use of Narcotics Drugs and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The female suspects were additionally charged with evidence tampering.
All remain in-custody: Bond was set at $180,000 for Torrez, and $150,000 for Baldonado and Valencia.
YCSO detectives continue to follow-up regarding the source and destination of the heroin and the specific role each suspect has in the operation.
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