A 36-year-old La Crosse man faces felony charges after he was accused of driving under the influence of marijuana.
Damon B. Mercado was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with fourth-offense operating while intoxicated and fourth-offense operating with a restricted substance. He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of operating after revocation/OWI-related.
Mercado
According to the criminal complaint, Mercado was westbound on Highway 16 in La Crosse around 11 p.m. July 16, when he was pulled over for a defective brake light. Police detected a strong odor of marijuana from inside the vehicle. The complaint says Mercado admitted smoking marijuana immediately after his work shift ended at 11 p.m.
Police reportedly found a glass bowl of burned marijuana underneath the driver’s seat. Mercado refused a field sobriety test, and police obtained a warrant for a blood draw.
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Mercado has one previous drunken driving conviction in Texas and two in La Crosse County. The most recent offense occurred Oct. 2, 2022.
Mercado is free on a $2,500 signature bond. His next court appearance is a July 24 calendar call.
La Crosse Tribune reporter Steve Rundio can be reached at steve.rundio@lee.net.
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