Hunter
03/13/23
An Iowa City man stopped for a traffic violation was taken into custody when a significant amount of marijuana was found in the vehicle.
Police stopped 38-year-old Walter James of Heinz Road on the 400 block of Highway 1 West Sunday night for failing to obey a traffic control device. An odor of marijuana was allegedly detected in the vehicle, and the officer reported James handing something to his passenger as he was checking James’ driving record.
When asked about the presence of marijuana in the vehicle, James reportedly surrendered a small baggie of the substance. However, when he and the passenger exited the vehicle, more marijuana was allegedly observed inside the open purse of the passenger. James then reportedly admitted to handing the marijuana to his passenger after he was stopped. Over two ounces was recovered, as well as a glass pipe with marijuana residue.
James faces a 3rd or subsequent Controlled Substance violation, Failure to Affix Drug Stamp, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. If convicted on all counts, James could be sentenced to over six years in prison.