(STEUBEN COUNTY) - A traffic stop on Interstate 69 led to drug charges for a man traveling with his new wife Monday night.
According to the Herald Republican, Derek M. Alejandro, 30, of no known address, was arrested near mile marker 348 on I-69 in Steuben County.
Court documents say a state trooper stopped a vehicle around 10:44 p.m. for a non-illuminated license plate.
The probable cause affidavit states the vehicle had "just married" written in dust on the back window. The female driver was not arrested.
Investigators say Alejandro, who was in the front passenger seat, told the trooper the couple had just been married.
During the stop, the trooper observed marijuana dispensary shopping bags in the back seat and conducted a probable cause search.
Authorities report multiple cannabis products were located in the vehicle, along with receipts documenting the purchases.
Alejandro told troopers he was from California and had a medical marijuana card from Ohio.
According to court records, when told both occupants could face charges, Alejandro claimed ownership of the items and told officers to "put it all on me."
A records check also showed Alejandro had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court from September 2024.
He is charged with Class A misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, Class B misdemeanor marijuana possession, and Class C misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.
If convicted, he could face up to 20 months in jail, along with fines.