CLEAR LAKE – A man previous convicted of felony crimes was allegedly caught with a gun and marijuana odor while drunk driving in Clear Lake.
On January 7, 2018 around 2:02 AM, Clear Lake police stopped a vehicle driven by 49-year-old Hector Munoz Jr., of Clear Lake on a traffic violation of no taillights at 8th Street S & 27th Avenue S. During the stop and subsequent contact with Munoz Jr., the primary officer believed Munoz was operating his vehicle under the influence of alcohol and was placed under arrest.
During the inventory search of his vehicle (a green 99 GMC Suburban), a Sig Sauer .22 handgun and a white “one hitter” pipe with marijuana residue and marijuana odor was located inside the vehicle. Munoz was taken in for processing.
While at the station for OWI processing, Munoz Jr. resisted and refused officers’ instructions and lawful orders throughout. Assistance was requested and a Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Deputy and an Iowa State Trooper arrived to help. No injuries to any party was reported.
Munoz Jr. was charged with:
Felon in possession of a firearm
Operating while intoxicated (1st offense)
Interference with official acts
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Improper tail lights
Fail to prove security against liability (no insurance)
Munoz Jr. was transported to the Cerro Gordo County Law Enforcement Center after OWI processing at the Clear Lake Police Station. He was later released from jail and is due to appear in court later the month.
Munoz is a convicted felon out of Hardin county – POSSESSION with intent to deliver methamphetamine – with numerous drunk driving arrests, including a felony conviction in 2005 in Cerro Gordo county.