Car trouble on I-80 leads to arrest of West Liberty man wanted on multiple drug charges

Car trouble on I-80 leads to arrest of West Liberty man wanted on multiple drug charges
Lang
6/16/19

Car trouble on Interstate 80 led to the arrest of a West Liberty man wanted for a slew of drug violations.

A trooper for the Iowa State Patrol came upon a Dodge Intrepid with its hazards on on westbound I-80 near the I-380 exit just after 3am Friday. The vehicle had overheated, and the trooper noticed the license plates were registered to a different vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 37-year-old Esau Rios of West Liberty. Rios had a number of arrest warrants stemming from an incident earlier this year in the Johnson County panhandle. Rios was driving a car involved in a single-vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 22 and Utah Avenue near Lone Tree just before 5:45am on April 26th. A search of the vehicle turned up methamphetamine, scales, multiple baggies, fake cash, glass pipes with residue, a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, multiple power tools, jewelry, a cook spoon often associated with injecting drugs, and other items.

A woman inside Rios’ car was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where she told investigators she had smoked meth with Rios at 3am. Rios refused blood and urine testing.

Rios was charged with Operating While Under the Influence, a Controlled Substance Violation, Possession of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine, Driving While Suspended, Interference with Official Acts, and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of over 13 years in prison.

The passenger in Rios’ car on Friday, 34-year-old Stephanie Sherman of Harper, also had active warrants. The State Patrol says she was found in possession of a white, crystalline substance consistent with methamphetamine. A baggie of the same substance was found under the driver’s seat. A search of the vehicle also turned up a black case containing more plastic baggies, as well as two glass pipes and a scale.

Sherman was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. If convicted, she faces a maximum of 13 months in prison.