(Spencer)– A traffic stop early Friday in Clay county landed two Alta men in jail.
The Sheriff’s Office says a deputy pulled over a vehicle shortly before 1:00 a.m. Friday for a traffic violation. The deputy noticed a lot of motion in the vehicle.
Upon investigating the deputy discovered an open container of beer on the front passenger-side of the vehicle. A subsequent search resulted in the deputy finding another open container on the rear passenger-side floor.
At the time, the deputy determined the driver was 28-year-old Armando Ornelas-Patino of Alta. Upon further investigation, the deputy learned Ornelas-Patino didn’t have a valid driver’s license. He was then placed under arrest and booked into jail.
25-year-old Francisco Maldonado of Alta and 22-year-old Victor Lara of Storm Lake were cited for open containers and released.
As the investigation continued, the deputy determined Ornelas-Patino was actually not the driver of the vehicle and that he had switched places with Maldonado. Ornelas-Patino was charged with interference with official acts…a simple misdemeanor.
At about midnight November 1st, the deputy met with Maldonado at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and he was arrested. Maldonado was charged with failure to have a valid driver’s license, no proof of insurance, excessive speed, and interference with official acts…all simple misdemeanors. He posted a 300-dollar cash bond and was released pending a future court appearance.
