County police arrest three in LaPaz

On December 31, at approximately 1:00 A.M. a Marshall County Sheriff Department K-9 Deputy conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle near the Gatewood Estates Mobile Home Park in LaPaz.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 35-year-old Ashton Gaines. The vehicle was also occupied by two male subjects identified as 40-year-old Kelly Cowger Jr. and 40-year-old Jason McFarland, all of Plymouth.

During the traffic stop, K-9 Diesel conducted an open-air sniff around the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotic odors in the vehicle. Suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia were in the vehicle.

Kelly Cowger had active warrants, one felony warrant for robbery, and one body attachment for contempt of court.

All three occupants were taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail.

Ashton Gaines was booked for Assisting a Criminal Where the Person Assisted Committed a Level 3, 4, 5, or 6 Felony – Level 6 Felony, Possession of Marijuana with a Prior Conviction – Class A Misdemeanor, and Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor.  Her cash bond was set at $1,500.

Jason McFarland was booked for Possession of Marijuana with a Prior Conviction – Class A Misdemeanor. His cash bond was set at $500.

Kelly Cowger was booked for Possession of Marijuana with a Prior Conviction – Class A Misdemeanor and his two active warrants. His cash bond was set at $500 for the new charges, $5,000 for the robbery warrant and $17,000 for contempt of court. 

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Plymouth Police Department and the Bremen Police Department.

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.