Traffic Stop Led To Drug Arrest

Angels Camp, CA — A loaded gun and 32 grams of methamphetamine put a Mokelumne Hill man behind bars. The arrest came after an Angels Camp Police officer pulled over a gray Mercury sedan for expired tags and driver not wearing a seatbelt. The stop happened on North Main Street in the Mark Twain Center around 9:20 Monday morning.

The driver, 36-year-old Joshua Ftacek told the officer that he did not have a valid driver’s license and that he may have warrants out for him. The officer confirmed that Ftacek did not have a valid driver’s license and that he had a felony warrant for his arrest out of Modesto, and a traffic warrant from Merced County.

During a search of Ftacek’s vehicle, the officer discovered a loaded firearm and approximately 32 grams of methamphetamine.

In addition to the warrants, Ftacek was arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.