Two Ohio residents were arrested Friday morning with guns and drugs after they were stopped for speeding on U.S. Interstate 80.
Alexander Joseph Mercer, 26, of 456 Courtney Dr., Newark, Ohio, was charged with carrying weapons, dominion/control of a firearm/offensive weapon by a domestic abuse offender, first-offense trafficking in stolen weapons, first-offense possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, first-offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kalyn Marie Music, of 360 W. Main St., Newark, Ohio, was charged with first-offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The incident began about 9:15 a.m. Friday near the 104 mile marker of eastbound U.S. Interstate 80, where an Iowa State Patrol Trooper stopped a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan for speeding.
According to court records, the trooper allegedly “could smell the distinct odor of raw marijuana emanating from the vehicle’s passenger compartment” as the trooper spoke with Music, the driver, and the trooper allegedly “observed a methamphetamine pipe in plain view in the center console.”
A probable-cause search of the vehicle allegedly disclosed “a stolen .357 Kimber revolver loaded with six rounds inside of a holster,” and a duffel bag contained “a scale with methamphetamine residue on it, a box of .357 ammunition and a speed-loader containing six rounds of .357 ammunition.”
A search of Mercer’s person allegedly disclosed “a clear plastic baggy of raw marijuana” in his coat, “a clear plastic baggy of methamphetamine on the seat next to” Mercer, “a scale containing methamphetamine residue on the seat next to” Mercer, “a methamphetamine pipe in the vehicle’s center console and a methamphetamine pipe with residue in” Mercer’s “underwear.”
The search of the vehicle also allegedly disclosed “a rubber container of THC resin in” Music’s purse, “burnt marijuana roaches in the door handle of the front passenger door, another rubber container of THC resin on the floor” and “a glass pipe used to smoke THC resin.”
Mercer is held without bond in the Dallas County Jail in advance of an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
Mercer was convicted of domestic abuse assault in 2016 and 2017 in Douglas County, Nebraska.
Music is held without bond in the Dallas County Jail in advance of an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is innocent until and unless proven guilty.
