A 26-year-old man from Aurora, Colorado, Juan Jesus Gelvez-Carrillo, was arrested on February 9 near Alton on charges of first-offense operating while under the influence (OWI) and first-offense possession of a controlled substance—marijuana.
The arrest occurred around 8:20 p.m. after a Sioux County sheriff’s deputy stopped a southbound 2004 Toyota Corolla traveling at 79 mph on the 4400-mile stretch of Highway 60 expressway northeast of Alton. Upon approaching the vehicle, deputies detected the odor of marijuana, and a container labeled “Sativa” and “THCA Pre-Rolled Joints” was seen on the passenger seat. The container contained one full marijuana joint and one partially smoked joint.
Gelvez-Carrillo admitted to possessing the marijuana and stated that he had smoked it approximately five hours before the traffic stop. Deputies observed that Gelvez-Carrillo had bloodshot, watery eyes and displayed signs of impaired balance. He failed field sobriety tests conducted at the scene.
A drug recognition expert evaluated Gelvez-Carrillo and determined that he was under the influence of cannabis at the time of the stop. He consented to a chemical urine test, which confirmed the presence of THC, further supporting the DUI charge.
