Cheyenne Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Drug Charges

Two Cheyenne residents are facing felony drug charges following a traffic stop in east Cheyenne Saturday night.

​According to an affidavit, 36-year-old Keith Grace and his passenger, 28-year-old Shani Martinez, were stopped in the area of Nationway and Ridge Road after a police officer noticed them in a spray-painted pickup with an expired plate.

The officer says Grace -- who couldn't provide his driver's license, registration and proof of insurance -- was acting extremely nervous and indicated there was a loaded handgun under his seat.

When the officer checked the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the pickup, she discovered it didn't match the VIN belonging to the license plate and that the VINs on the driver's door and under the hood had been spray-painted over. The handgun also returned stolen.

The pickup was subsequently searched and 3.49 ounces of suspected cannabis, a syringe loaded with .31 grams of suspected methamphetamine, two jewelry baggies containing 5.7 grams of suspected methamphetamine and other drug-related items were found.

Police also found two metal VIN plates that were ripped off another vehicle in the back of the pickup.

Grace and Martinez were arrested and charged with felony possession of marijuana and methamphetamine. Grace was also charged with receiving stolen property and no valid registration, both misdemeanors.

Grace's bond was set at $3,000 cash or surety and Martinez's at $3,000 cash. Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for Jan. 23 in Laramie County Circuit Court.

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