Cervantes

NEW ULM — A traffic stop for failing to signal before a turn and making a wide turn in New Ulm Wednesday night led to the arrest of a 39-year-old Marshall man on four felony drug and firearms charges.

Pedro D. Cervantes was charged with four felonies Friday in Brown County District Court. Charges included a charge of first-degree drug sale 17 grams of meth within 90 days, two counts of ammunition/any firearm possession having been convicted of a crime of violence-numerous rounds of 9mm ammunition; and commission of a crime while wearing or possessing a bullet-resistant vest.

At a Zoom hearing Friday, Cervantes’ unconditional bail was set at $200,000; $100,000 with conditions. A court hearing was set for 11:30 a.m. Nov. 19.

According to court documents, New Ulm Police Sgt. Rasche saw a white Chevrolet SUV exit an apartment complex at 1507 Highway 14 West, onto a service road and turn north on Highland Avenue on Wednesday. As the vehicle turned east on Highway 14, the driver did not use a turn signal until the turn was being made.

Rasche followed the vehicle which was traveling slowly, then made a wide turn into the Starkeller parking lot without signalling, then stopped perpendicular to the parking lot driveway. Thinking there may be some type of emergency or the driver was lost, Rasche stopped the vehicle.

Detecting a very strong raw marijuana odor coming from the vehicle, Rasche noted the driver seemed very nervous, was talking fast and constantly moving.

The driver identified himself using two California identification cards, both as Pedro Daniel Cervantes, 39. Rasche learned that Cervantes’ driver’s license was suspended and revoked in California and he had no Minnesota license. Cervantes said the vehicle belonged to his aunt and later provided an outdated proof of insurance card.

Searching the vehicle, Rasche found a large, brown purse in the back of the vehicle containing a vape-looking device, a nylon handgun shoulder holster and a handgun magazine loaded with 9mm ammo. A nylon case with loose 9mm ammo and a measurable amount of what appeared to be methamphetamine in bags in a plastic owl figure were also found.

Inside a sealable bag, Rasche found a very large chunk of what appeared to be methamphetamine. He found a body armor vest, similar to that used by law enforcement uses, in a suitcase.

Other items found were a bag of rolled-up rubber bands in a baggie, a jar labeled vitamine gummies and a Sig Sauer P226 9mm handgun in a nylon holster that was loaded and cocked.

A drug task force agent took possession of all evidentiary items that included $1,653 in cash, 47.9 grams of methamphetamine and 62 9mm rounds.

Cervantes was previously convicted of felonies including controlled substance manufacture on Oct. 22. 2018 in California; and escape from jail with force/violence.