Hartselle man charged with trafficking fentanyl

For the Enquirer

A Hartselle man was charged last week with drug trafficking after agents with the Morgan County Drug Enforcement Unit seized fentanyl pills from his vehicle during a September traffic stop in Decatur, according to an investigator’s affidavit.

On Sept. 19, the affidavit said, the agents were following up on an existing investigation of Weston Cole Stafford, 22, and his involvement in the selling of blue M30 fentanyl pills.

The agents received information that Stafford traveled to the Huntsville and Madison area in a gray F-150 at approximately 8:30 p.m, according to the affidavit, and that he purchased between 100 and 200 fentanyl pills at a time in this area.

The affidavit said the agents conducted surveillance near the area of the Tennessee River bridge and Church Street to see if Stafford returned to Decatur. Agents spot-ted the suspect’s truck at approximately 10 p.m. turning east onto Church Street coming from the bridge, and they followed it.

“Agents observed the vehicle fail to maintain lane numerous times,” the affidavit said. “The vehicle crossed both the center line and fog line numerous times. The vehicle even crossed into the right turn lane as it traveled past 19th Avenue Southeast onto Point Mallard Drive Southeast.” An agent initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle.

Agents approached the female driver of the vehicle and asked for her driver’s license, the affidavit said, and also spoke with Stafford.

“(The agent) asked the female if she would consent to a search of the vehicle, and she advised agents were welcome to search,” the affidavit said. “Stafford advised (the agent) he had a firearm in the passenger side door and (the female driver) advised (the agent) she also had a firearm in the driver side door.” Agents recovered both firearms and both were loaded with a round in the chamber, according to the affidavit.

The agents had been told that Stafford kept fentanyl pills in a magnetic box he kept hidden under the vehicle.

“(The agent) advised Stafford he had one chance to tell or show where the box was with the pills,” the affidavit said. “(The agent) advised Stafford if he cooperated and gave the box containing the pills, he would be free to go tonight. Stafford went to the passenger side of the truck and pointed out a cross member and advised … that the box was on top of that cross member.” The agent recovered the box and a large number of blue M30 fentanyl pills were located inside, according to the affidavit.

“(The agent) advised Stafford that he would have to assist agents in taking down his supplier or people in Morgan County to prevent being charged at a later date for trafficking fentanyl,” the affidavit said.

The affidavit said the agent did not take Stafford to jail that night but said if he were to get caught again in the next few months, he “would obtain warrants on them.” According to the affidavit, Stafford admitted to having overdosed the day before, and the agent responded that “he was too young to die and needed to get sober so he could make something of his life.” Stafford was booked into the Morgan County Jail and held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.