A routine traffic stop Monday night resulted in the arrest of a Yucca Valley man accused of dealing drugs. About 11:40 p.m., Deputy Raman Singh saw a white Chevrolet Tahoe near Landers Lane and Reche Road in Landers with its rear license plate light out. As Singh was making the traffic stop, he saw the driver, later identified as Eric Sponholtz, 47, throw a plastic bag out the Tahoe’s window as the SUV traveled southbound on Landers Lane. Sponholtz pulled over shortly after. Singh recovered the bag thrown from the window and discovered it contained about a half-pound of methamphetamine. Sponholtz was also found to be in possession of a large amount of cash, consistent with narcotic sales. Eric Sponholtz was arrested for investigation of transportation of a controlled substance for sales, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, with his bail set at $50,000.
