Nacogdoches S.O. Makes Arrest of Alleged Dealer with Cartel Ties

According to a release from the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office (NCSO), an ongoing investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine in Nacogdoches County has led to the arrest of an alleged large-scale drug distributor with ties to the Mexican Cartel.

The NCSO has made 19 felony arrests in the past two months involving narcotics. Those arrests have enabled investigators to identify one of the main sources of those drugs that were being distributed in the Deep East Texas area.  The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office reached out to the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division and the Nacogdoches Police Department Street Crimes Unit for assistance in the case due to the magnitude of the volume of drugs that were being distributed.

On March 27th around 11:00 am, the Sheriff’s Office along with the other two agencies, conducted a traffic stop on a Cadillac SUV on FM 225 at County Road 753. Through an investigation by all three agencies, the Sheriff’s Office had information that the alleged drug distributor was in the process of bringing large quantities of methamphetamine to Nacogdoches County.

Deputies found probable cause to stop the vehicle for a traffic violation and identified the driver as Matthew Fallis who was the main target in the investigation. A passenger in the vehicle was identified as Mary King. Deputies requested a search of the vehicle but were denied by Fallis. A Sheriff’s Office K-9 arrived on scene and conducted a free air search of the vehicle. The K-9 gave a positive alert to the vehicle that gave deputies probable cause to search the motor vehicle.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 1. 5 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and 3 ounces of black tar heroin. Also found in the vehicle were two 9 MM pistols. One pistol was found in the driver’s door and the other pistol was found inside a bag where the narcotics were hidden. Both pistols were loaded.  The Sheriff’s Office seized over seven thousand dollars in cash that was found inside the car as well.

Law enforcement have found that Fallis has alleged direct connections to a Mexican Cartel Gang that was reportedly moving large amounts of Methamphetamine from Dallas to Nacogdoches and other areas on a weekly basis.

Sheriff Jason Bridges stated that black tar heroin is rarely seen in our community. This is the largest seizure of black tar heroin by the Sheriff’s Office.  The Sheriff’s Office has gained information that the Mexican Cartel was using Fallis to distribute their drugs and was attempting to get him to push black tar heroin in our community.

Matthew Fallis, 41, from Waxahachie and Mary King, 37, from Dallas were both arrested for two counts of Delivery of a controlled Substance,  a 1^st degree felony. Fallis was also charged with Unlawful Possession of a firearm by a felon.

Sheriff Bridges stated that the ATF has been contacted and will be assisting in this ongoing investigation.