A north Iowa traffic stop has led to felony gun and drug charges against a Missouri man.
Law enforcement says 51-year-old Damon Thernka of St. Charles, Missouri was driving a Kenworth commercial vehicle on Highway 18 in Cerro Gordo County just before 8 a.m. Friday morning when he was stopped for speeding. A search of the vehicle located a green vial, which authorities say Thernka admitted contained methamphetamine and he was subsequently charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Other drug paraphernalia was also discovered, along with a ghost gun with no make, model, or serial number along with a box of 9mm ammo and a magazine. That resulted in a felony weapons charge for not being allowed to possess a firearm because Thernka was previously convicted of a felony in Nebraska. Thernka told authorities the gun was a gift from his brother.
