20-year prison term assessed in Milam's largest crack bust

Police Report   

A 28-year-old Rockdale man arrested Feb. 8, 2007, in what law officers termed Milam County’s largest-ever crack cocaine bust, was assessed a 20-year prison term last week by 20th District Judge Ed Magre.
 

Prosecutor Kerry Spears said Ruben Allen Henderson has been convicted May 29 in a jury trial on a charge of possession of a controlled substance (200 to 400 grams) with intent to deliver and returned to court last week, electing to have Judge Magre set punishment.

Rockdale police said 15 crack cookies, totaling 349 grams, were recovered in the early morning traffic stop on US 79 in Rockdale.

Chief Deputy Ted Retchloff estimated the street value of the cocaine as $42,000.

Ofc. Stephen Goodrich said just before 1 a.m. on that date he observed a car “going very slow, 28 miles per hour in a 45-zone” on East Cameron (US 79).

Goodrich said he stopped the car after the driver made a u-turn without signalling.

Goodrich said he called for assistance from Ofc. Brandon Tess and Precinct 3 Constable Herbie Vaughan after the driver gave an incorrect name, which showed an expired driver’s license after it was run through the police database.

A search by the three officers turned up the cocaine cookies in a back seat backpack, Goodrich said.

“The suspect then admitted his real name and was arrested,” Goodrich said.