2 charged with meth possession; Approximately 140 grams of meth allegedly found

Published 8:37 am Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Chadwick Alan McCorquodale, 37, of Stewartville was charged on Tuesday in Mower County District Court with felony first-degree possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, felony third-degree DWI-under the influence of a controlled substance and misdemeanor driving after revocation of his license.

Shane Robert Merchlewitz, 30, of Preston was charged on Tuesday in Mower County District Court with felony first-degree possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, felony first-degree DWI-under the influence of a controlled substance and gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation of his license-inimical to public safety.

According to the court complaint, a Mower County deputy was dispatched at 9:51 p.m. on Sunday to the 28000 block of 785th Avenue in Racine Township on a report of a vehicle revving its engine and driving with no lights on. The deputy observed a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo stopped in the middle of the road about ¼ of a mile from the reported location. He then saw someone run in front of the car’s headlights and saw a Chevrolet pick-up truck parked in the road with its lights off. As he got closer, the Monte Carlo started to drive away, but stopped when the deputy activated his emergency lights.

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The deputy saw McCorquodale in the driver’s seat and Merchlewitz in the passenger seat, the complaint states. Both said they came to help a “friend” who had been driving the pick up truck, but the “friend” was gone when the arrived. The deputy suspected Merchlewitz had been the driver of the pick up, but Merchlewitz denied it.

The deputy observed that McCorquodale appeared anxious, was speaking rapidly and continuously moving his upper body and arms, had bloodshot eyes and got agitated when questioned about his story, the complaint states. He was then told to perform several field sobriety tests, failed, and was placed under arrest. When he was searched, the deputy found a cigarette packet with several hundred-dollar bills inside. When asked about the money, McCorquodale said that was how he carried it.

The deputy then questioned Merchlewitz, who changed the story and said he didn’t know who was driving the pick up, the complaint states. He made Merchlewitz step out after seeing a knife sticking out of his pocket and noticed there were several tools, flashlights and miscellaneous items, including the ignition keys for the pick up truck, in the passenger seat. The deputy believed Merchlewitz had not been in the passenger seat for long and began to search the driver side of the vehicle, where he found a methamphetamine pipe, a methamphetamine bong, and a small bag with methamphetamine residue.

A second deputy arrived on the scene, detained Merchlewitz and assisted with the search, the complaint states. They found a plastic container with a large amount of cash, a black duffle bag that contained two other plastic containers that held methamphetamine, and a black bag that held five bags of methamphetamine. In all, approximately 140 grams of methamphetamine was found. The deputies also seized $3,031 in cash and $107 found on Merchlewitz.

The deputy then spoke to Merchlewitz, who changed his story again and said McCorquodale picked him up in Spring Valley, the complaint said. He claimed his only belongings in the car were his sweatshirt, wallet and the items found on his person. He denied having anything to do with the methamphetamine.

The deputy then spoke to McCorquodale, who said Merchlewitz had brought a black bag and sweatshirt, but was not sure if he had anything else, the complaint states. He said he had just picked up Merchlewitz at the location and that Merchlewitz was a passenger in the pick up truck. He denied ownership of the methamphetamine pipes found in the center console.

The second deputy advised the first that Merchlewitz admitted to driving the pick up truck and was showing signs of drug impairment, the complaint states. Merchlewitz was then made to perform several field sobriety tests, passing some and failing others. He submitted a blood sample at the Mower County Jail that was sent to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s laboratory for analysis.

A review of McCorquodale’s criminal history shows prior convictions for DWI, damage to property, possession of stolen property, theft, conspiracy-controlled substance and burglary.

A review of Merchlewitz’s criminal history shows prior convictions for DWI, damage to property, terroristic threats, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing a peace officer and assault.

They will appear in court again on Oct. 15.