On the afternoon of Saturday Feb. 20, a Merrill officer on patrol stopped a vehicle near the intersection of CTH Q and Joe Snow Road, after observing the vehicle traveling at a speed of 50 mph in a 40 mph speed zone.
According to officer notes, the driver- identified as 19-year old Lao Xiong of Wausau- was found to be operating with a suspended driving status.
Upon further investigation by the Merrill Police Department’s Drug Recognition Expert, Xiong was found to be operating under the influence of a controlled substance. A subsequent search of Xiong’s vehicle yielded Methamphetamine as well as paraphernalia related to Methamphetamine.
Xiong was subsequently taken into custody on Felony charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine-Paraphernalia and Felony- Bail Jumping.
According to court records, Xiong was arrested by Merrill officers for the same offenses in early January. That case is currently pending.
Xiong appeared in Lincoln County Circuit Court on Monday Feb. 22nd facing the new felony charges and remains in custody at the Lincoln County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond. A $2,500 signature bond was signed on Wednesday.