Coralville man faces drug and weapon charges after traffic stop

Hunter
11/01/24

A Coralville man stopped for a traffic violation now faces drug and weapon charges.

Police conducted the stop just before 2am Wednesday on the 1800 block of the Coralville Strip due to a partially non-functioning passenger headlight. Upon contact, the vehicle had the odor of marijuana, and a bag of marijuana was allegedly observed sitting on the passenger side floorboard.  A probable cause search was conducted, and reportedly found more marijuana, 2 scales, a grinder with marijuana inside, and a firearm.

The driver, 52-year-old Coolidge Smith of 21st Avenue Place, was found to have multiple felonies on his record in Illinois that would preclude him from being in possession of the revolver.

Smith was taken into custody and charged with Marijuana Possession, Dominion or Control of a Firearm as a Felon, Person Ineligible to Carry Dangerous Weapons, and possession of Drug Paraphernalia. If convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to over 8 years in prison.