Thursday night, the Merrill Police Department released further information related to the recent seizure of nearly 8 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, as a result of a traffic stop and follow up investigation.
According to notes from officers involved, on the night of Monday December 14th an officer on patrol near the intersection of Riverside and Center avenues, stopped a vehicle after learning the vehicle owner had an outstanding arrest warrant.
According to officer notes, upon stopping the vehicle the officer observed 38-year-old Dino Townsend in the passenger seat, who was found to have a valid warrant for his arrest.
Townsend was taken into custody and following a search incident to arrest, 2.3 grams of methamphetamine were located on Townsend’s person.
During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a drawstring bag belonging to the driver, 21-year old Anthony Boyd, containing 5.3 grams of methamphetamine and a digital scale.
Both Merrill men were taken into custody and transported to the Lincoln County Jail, while the vehicle in which they were traveling was towed.
Both men made their initial appearance in Lincoln County Circuit Court on Tuesday, in which Townsend was charged with multiple felony charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia to Manufacture, Compound, Convert, Produce or Store Methampetamine and Maintaining a Drug Trafficking place (all charges as a repeat offender). He was released on a $2,500 signature bond.
Boyd was also released on $2,500 signature bond, facing multiple felony charges of being party to the crimes of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia to Manufacture, Compound, Convert, Produce or Store Methampetamine, as well as felony bail jumping.