Man pleads guilty to drug possession while driving

0

A man accused of using drugs while driving will be sentenced late next month after pleading guilty to charges this week.

Joshua W. McDargh, 36, of 4849 Cedar Creek Road, Urbana, pleaded guilty to a fifth degree felony aggravated possession of drugs charge in addition to a first degree misdemeanor endangering children charge Tuesday.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 30.

The charges stem from an April 16 incident.

An Urbana police report states the Champaign County dispatch center received a call regarding a reckless driver on that date.

The caller reported following a vehicle from west of city limits to the intersection of Pindar Street and Russell Street. The caller stated the vehicle went left of the center line several times and entered into the opposing lane as well as running off the left side of the road while turning from Oakland Street onto Pindar Street in town.

Police stopped the vehicle on Mosgrove Street. The driver of the vehicle, McDargh, was reportedly speaking with slow slurred speech. While speaking to McDargh, police observed small amounts of white powder under and on his nose.

When questioned about the powder, McDargh reportedly began to rub his nose, causing more powder to fall out. He initially denied that the powder was drugs and stated it was dust from changing a kitty litter box.

Police conducted a field sobriety test and, based on testing, McDargh was placed under arrest for operating a vehicle under the influence.

A short time later, McDargh admitted he had crushed a Vicodin tablet and snorted it using a $1 bill. McDargh had two children with him at the time of the stop. They were released to a relative following McDargh’s arrest.

The charges against McDargh were filed through a bill of information.The aggravated possession of drugs charge carries a potential maximum sentence of one year in prison, a $2,500 fine and a mandatory driver’s license suspension.

McDargh’s personal recognizance bond was continued on Tuesday.

By Nick Walton

[email protected]

Nick Walton can be reached at 937-652-1331 Ext. 1777 or on Twitter @UDCWalton.

No posts to display