NEW ULM — A 39-year-old Marshall man who was stopped for a late turn signal in New Ulm last November was sentenced to five years in the St. Cloud Correctional Facility in Brown County District Court May 20.

Pedro D. Cervantes was convicted of felony second-degree drug possession 25 grams or more methamphetamine and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. He was credited with 198 days served and fined $75, which can be worked off by sentence to service hours.

Felony charges of possession of ammunition or firearm and commission of crime while wearing or possessing bullet-resistant vest were dismissed.

According to court documents, Cervantes was stopped by New Ulm Police Sgt. Charles Rasche on North Highland Avenue near the Starkeller parking lot after making a wide turn, signalling while making a turn, then stopping next to the parking lot driveway.

Rasche smelled a raw marijuana odor coming from the vehicle. The driver identified himself as Cervantes. Rasche learned his driver’s license was suspended and revoked in California, and he had no Minnesota driver’s license.

Searching the vehicle, Rasche found a vape-looking device, a nylon handgun shoulder holster and a handgun magazine loaded with 9mm ammunition. A nylon case with loose 9mm ammunition and a measurable amount of what appeared to be methamphetamine was found in bags in a plastic owl figure.

In a sealable bag, Rasche found a large chunk of what appeared to be methampetamine, a body armor vest, similar to that used by law enforcement, rolled-up rubber bands, a jar labeled vitamine gummies and loaded, cocked Sig Sauer P226 9mm handgun.

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

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