BEEVILLE — A 46-year-old Waco man with possible gang association is facing state jail felony charge following a traffic stop on Nov. 20.

Deputy Lt. Ronnie Jones said Deputy Rick Villarreal was on patrol on U.S. Highway 181 near Pettus when he spotted a 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck that had defective lighting.

Villarrreal stopped the truck as it traveled through Pettus going north.

When the deputy approached the vehicle, he detected a strong odor of marijuana and had the driver, Chris Herrera, step out of the truck.

As he searched the vehicle, Villarreal found a duffel bag containing pre-packaged bags of marijuana and several bundles of cash, totaling $5,110.

Herrera was charged with possession of marijuana and money laundering. He was released on bonds totaling $4,000.

Sheriff Carlos Carrizales Jr. said his office is filing paperwork to seize the pickup and cash. Deputies are also looking into Herrera’s possible gang affiliation.

If convicted of the state jail felony charges, the suspect could be sentenced to two years in a state jail facility and fined $10,000.