A 23-year-old Riverton man, David Guiterrez-Martin, was charged for the fourth time in the last four years with “Possession of a Controlled Substance.”
On September 14th, the Riverton Police Department responded to a call on N. 2nd West in Riverton where a homeowner said that a man was attempting to enter the back door of her house.
Court documents show the woman confronted the man and followed him away from her home. Ultimately Guiterrez-Martin laid down in a patch of grass northwest of Tonkin Stadium. The homeowner assisted police to locate the suspect.
An RPD officer began speaking with the suspect, the officer reported Guiterrez-Martin was “mumbling” and that he couldn’t understand him initially. The officer also noted smelling a strong odor of alcohol coming from the man’s breath when he spoke.
The officer asked David several times what his name was. After several unsuccessful attempts, he spelled his first name for the officer, saying “D-A-V-I-D.” He was then asked what his date of birth was, but again spelled “D-A-V-I-D.” After determining the man was intoxicated, the officer placed the suspect into investigative detention. During that time, the officer conducted a pat-down search of Guiterrez-Martin. The officer located a bag with three hypodermic needles inside, two cotton swabs, and part of a straw.
An officer also located a backpack next to the suspect. Guiterrez-Martin told RPD that the backpack wasn’t his and that it belonged to “a girl.” While looking through the backpack, an officer located a piece of rolled up tinfoil with a burnt residue that appeared to be burnt marijuana. Guiterrez-Martin was asked if he smoked marijuana, to which he replied, “yes.” At that point, Guiterrez-Martin was placed under arrest for drug possession. During an interview process later, the suspect also told officers that he did various other drugs.
After a “Nik kit” test was performed, the hypodermic needles tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine. A lab test showed the residue on the tinfoil to be marijuana.
Guieterrez-Martin was charged with one count of “Possession of a Controlled Substance.” The charge received an “Enhanced Penalty,” as this was his fourth drug-related charge since 2014.
If convicted on the charge, he could face up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
On November 8th, Guiterrez-Martin’s preliminary hearing was waived. He’ll be transferred to District Court for arraignment at a later date.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.