On the night of March 27, 2025, officers with the Sulphur Springs Police Department arrested a 35-year-old local woman following a traffic stop that led to the discovery of narcotics and an alleged attempt to tamper with evidence.
According to the arrest affidavit, officers initiated a stop on a silver 2006 Chevrolet Impala near the 400 block of North Hillcrest Drive at approximately 11:01 p.m. During the stop, an item was observed being discarded from the vehicle’s window.
Upon securing the scene, officers retrieved the item—identified as a cigarette box containing a small bag of marijuana and a second bag containing a white, crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine.
The driver, identified as Jessica Elizabeth Bender, was taken into custody without incident. Authorities believe Bender attempted to dispose of the substances as officers approached the vehicle in an effort to avoid detection and charges.
Following her arrest, Bender was transported to the Hopkins County Jail. The seized white substance was weighed at approximately 0.36 grams and is pending laboratory analysis for confirmation.
Bender faces the following felony charges:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance PG1/1-B under 1 gram (State Jail Felony)
- Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence (State Jail Felony)