A Manteca man that was arrested last year after he was found to be in possession of a loaded .45 caliber handgun and almost 3 grams of methamphetamine was convicted of a number of felony charges last week.

According to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, Tommy Lee Smith was driving in Manteca on Nov. 12 of 2020 when he was stopped by Manteca Police Officer Dylan Noel. Smith was found to be on searchable probation and when Noel searched the vehicle he discovered a loaded .45 caliber Taurus handgun and 2.9 grams of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle.

Smith was charged with being a felon in possession of a handgun, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, and possession of a controlled substance – all three of which a jury found him guilty of in San Joaquin County Superior Court.

He is scheduled to appear before judge Patrick J. Smalling on Nov. 29 for formal sentencing.

San Joaquin County District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar noted in a release about the verdict that the case was “skillfully” prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ashley Jenezon, and Salazar also thanked both the Manteca Police Department and DA Investigator Ryan Mutchler for their contributions in the case.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.