Hunter
01/16/20
A West Liberty man who was wanted for violating terms of his probation was taken into custody after being stopped for driving without a functional center brake light.
38-year-old Esau Rios of Rainbow Drive was stopped on Sand Road Wednesday at around 5:15pm after his center brake light was out. According to police, Rios gave a false name, but eventually his real identity was discovered, and a records check showed his driving status and barred and warrants out for his arrest.
Police say the warrant stems from when 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.
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.
He was facing over 13 years in prison, but Rios was given probation in August.
A warrant request indicated that Rios failed to attend scheduled appointments with his probation officer. On December 27th his officer called his last known place of employment and address, the Baymont Hotel in Coralville, and learned that he “up and left” about a month before.
Rios now faces additional charges of driving while barred as a habitual offender and false application for license or ID card. Those charges carry a combined possible sentence of three years in prison.
Rios’ passenger, identified as 33-year-old Caitlyn Mayor of Winfield, Iowa, was allegedly found with a small baggie of meth in a black jar and a meth pipe in a pile of makeup she dumped in the middle of the van she was riding in. She too was arrested, and charged with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia and faces up to 13 months in jail if convicted.