College Station Man Charged After Eating Marijuana
Elishua Simon Ponce, 22, faces drug and evidence tampering charges following a traffic stop in which he allegedly tried to eat marijuana.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Drug Crime
College Station police arrested Elishua Simon Ponce, 22, after he allegedly attempted to eat marijuana during a traffic stop. Ponce was charged with tampering with evidence, possession of marijuana, and possession of a controlled substance, and remained in custody on a $28,000 bond.
Why it matters
The case illustrates how suspects may attempt to destroy drug evidence during police encounters, and how such conduct can itself result in a felony charge. For Brazos County residents, it shows the legal consequences that can follow even small quantities of marijuana and THC.
Ponce was charged with tampering with evidence with intent to impair, possession of marijuana under two ounces, and possession of a controlled substance in penalty group two, less than a gram. As of Friday afternoon he was held in the Brazos County Detention Center on a total bond of $28,000, and the court outcome has not been reported.
The players
Elishua Simon Ponce
Ponce is the 22-year-old man arrested and charged in connection with the traffic stop and alleged attempt to destroy marijuana evidence.
College Station Police Department
The College Station Police Department is the local law enforcement agency that made the arrest and filed the charges against Ponce.
Brazos County Detention Center
The Brazos County Detention Center is the county jail where Ponce was held on a $28,000 total bond.
The details
Officers stopped Ponce's vehicle early Tuesday morning after he allegedly ran a red light at West Villa Maria Road and Wellborn Road in Bryan. An officer noticed a strong marijuana odor, after which Ponce handed over a burnt marijuana cigarette and officers found marijuana flakes in his mouth, along with a THC vape pen on his person. A search of the vehicle turned up additional marijuana on the passenger floorboard.
Timeline
Early Tuesday morning: Ponce allegedly ran a red light and was stopped by an officer patrolling Wellborn Road.
Friday morning: Ponce was arrested in College Station.
Friday afternoon: Ponce remained in the Brazos County Detention Center on a $28,000 bond.
Legal Context
Texas Penal Code Section 37.09 treats destroying or concealing evidence with intent to impair an investigation as a third-degree felony, the same charge filed against Ponce. Its application here, where the alleged tampering involved eating marijuana, shows how the statute is used alongside lower-level possession charges during roadside stops.
Residents of College Station and Bryan should be aware that even small amounts of marijuana or THC can lead to felony-level charges if evidence is destroyed during a traffic stop. Motorists who are stopped by police are generally expected to comply with officer instructions and not attempt to conceal or consume substances.
The takeaway
Anyone facing a traffic stop should know that attempting to destroy or hide drugs can add a serious felony charge on top of any possession offense. Avoiding that escalation is generally better handled by staying calm and following officer instructions.
Further reading
For related coverage, browse more Drug Crime reporting from College Station.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Eagle.
