On Thursday, September 26th, at 3:16 in the morning, Officer Wozniak with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department initiated a traffic stop on a gray 2003 Volkswagen passenger vehicle on U.S. 30 near Hawthorn Road.
During the investigation, the officer detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle resulted in the findings of marijuana, marijuana hash and a schedule 2 controlled substance.
The driver, 20 year old Eli S. Merced III of Saint Charles, Illinois, was taken to the jail for possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and possession of a schedule I-IV controlled substance. He was held on a $4,500 cash bond.
Listeners and readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
