Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin is warning Alabamians not to impede on law enforcement efforts to police immigration.

According to the Leeds Alabama Police Department, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle of Jacob Garcia Martinez, who was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine and a stolen handgun. It was then discovered that Martinez is an illegal immigrant.

During the traffic stop, Mary Lisa Everling, approached the officers in her vehicle. She then proceeded to block the roadway, sounded the vehicle’s horn, and refused to comply with lawful orders. Everling was subsequentially arrested for “Obstructing Governmental Operations.”

“She got out and got between the suspect’s and the officer’s vehicle, screaming at them to let him go,” Irwin said. “You might can do that somewhere else, but not here in Alabama,” Irwin said.

“If we are on a traffic stop and if you interfere with the lawful traffic stop or arrest of someone, regardless if they are an illegal alien, where the suspect is in possession of methamphetamine, a stolen firearm and drug paraphernalia you will be arrested.”

Everling’s family is now claiming that she didn’t know the man and got out of the vehicle because officers were blocking her driveway.

According to officials, Martinez was taken into custody without further incident and charged with Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Firearm, Receiving Stolen Property 2nd Degree, Obstructing Justice Using a False ID, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

He is currently incarcerated in the Jefferson County Jail with a total bond of $55,000. Upon Martinez’s release, he will be transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s custody.

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee