A Sioux City man has been arrested on drug- and child-endangerment-related charges following a traffic stop near Larchwood on Friday.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Lyon County Clerk of Court by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, 27-year-old Yoni Duenas of Sioux City is accused of driving under the influence, child endangerment, drug possession, and weapons violations. He was taken into custody on Friday.
In his statement, the deputy says he detected the odor of marijuana during the traffic stop, prompting a probable-cause search of the vehicle. During that search, deputies seized marijuana, a loaded firearm, drug paraphernalia, and methamphetamine. The deputy reports that Duenas admitted to possessing both the firearm and narcotics. Further investigation led authorities to believe Duenas is a convicted felon.
Duenas was charged with dominion or control of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, two counts of child endangerment involving meth exposure, and third or subsequent offense possession of a controlled substance — all Class D felonies. If convicted and ordered to serve the sentences consecutively, he could face up to 25 years in prison.
He also faces misdemeanor charges, including possession of marijuana, operating under the influence, carrying dangerous weapons while ineligible, carrying dangerous weapons while under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, and driving without a license.
Duenas is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, January 13th.
He was booked into the Lyon County Jail in Rock Rapids and was released Monday after posting a $25,000 surety bond.
This story is courtesy of fellow Community First Broadcasting station KIWA Radio.
