Muscatine man arrested on drug, weapons charges in Iowa City

Lang
12/23/23

A Muscatine man has been arrested after Iowa City Police reportedly discovered him driving with drugs and a firearm in his car.

According to arrest records, 20-year-old Alex Mendoza was driving a 2014 Dodge Charger on Highway 6 East near Sycamore Street just before 12:45 Saturday morning when he was pulled over for a traffic violation. Investigators say the vehicle smelled of marijuana, and there was a rifle in plain view on the rear passenger seat and several rifle magazines on the front passenger seat.

A search of Mendoza’s person reportedly turned up a THC vape cartridge in his coat pocket. Police say Mendoza admitted the gun was his and that the vape cartridge contained THC.

Mendoza is charged with Carrying Weapons and Possession of a Controlled Substance. If convicted on both counts, he faces a maximum of two years in jail.