A Ketchum man was arrested last week on DUI and marijuana possession charges following a traffic stop in Hailey.
Police identified the suspect as Kent J. Muer, 34. He was arraigned Tuesday, Jan. 11, in Blaine County Magistrate Court on a misdemeanor DUI charge and a felony count of possession of more than 3 ounces of marijuana.
Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter said the case against Muer started shortly before 6 a.m. on Jan. 11 when Muer was allegedly speeding through town, southbound in a 2003 Lexus. Gunter said Muer "smelled of alcohol" and failed field sobriety tests after being stopped by a Hailey police officer on state Highway 75 in Hailey near the Friedman Memorial Airport tower.
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Gunter said the marijuana was found in a bag on the floor of the passenger side of the Lexus after Muer was arrested and police were doing an "inventory" of the vehicle.
"We always inventory a car before we tow it," the police chief said. "That way, if they say their stereo was stolen, we know it was there when we put it in impound."
Gunter said the marijuana weighed eight-tenths of a pound, an amount large enough to qualify for a felony charge. In Idaho, possession of more than 3 ounces of marijuana can be charged as a felony.
According to court records, Muer is now free on $7,500 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25 before Magistrate Judge Jason Walker. Muer is represented by Hailey attorney Douglas Nelson.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
