Saturday night, an officer stopped a vehicle on East Main Street, after discovering the driver, 25-year-old Matthew T. Drake of Merrill, did not have a valid driver’s license.
According to officer notes, the assistance of officer ‘Eros’ and the Merrill Police Department’s K9 unit was requested. Upon arrival, officer ‘Eros’ rendered a positive sniff on the vehicle.
A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a bag containing Drake’s wallet and identification, as well as a .45 caliber handgun with a bullet chambered. Additional items discovered were a digital scale, a pipe used for smoking methamphetamine, several gem bags, a vaporizing pen containing ‘THC Honey Oil” as well as a container containing ‘THC Honey Oil.”
Drake’s car was impounded pending a search warrant, which was later obtained at the Merrill Police Department.
Drake was subsequently taken into custody on an array of charges including three felony charges and was additionally cited for Operating After Revocation.
Drake appeared in Lincoln County Circuit Court on Monday, facing misdemeanor charges of Carrying a Concealed Weapon, two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia as well as felony charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felony Possession of THC (2nd Offense), and Felony Possession of Methamphetamine. Drake was later released on $2,500 signature bond.