Four arrested on drug charges

Mox Este, 25, of Miami, Okla., Keoma Este, 24, of Lahaina, Hawaii, Jonathan Kosmes, 24, of Independence and Daweimwar W. Ruben, 22, also of Independence, were charged with class A misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Mox Este, the driver of the car, was also charged with class A misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, class B driving while under the influence of alcohol, class A misdemeanor operating a vehicle without a valid license and class B misdemeanor exceeding the speed limit by 20 miles per hour or more. A later check of Este's identity resulted in an FBI report showing his real name to be Alex Terno.

According to the incident report, the trooper observed a black Pontiac Grand Am traveling northbound on U.S. 65 at approximately 99 miles per hour in the early morning hours of March 7, and initiated a traffic stop.

After questioning Terno and obtaining permission to search the vehicles, the trooper found rolling papers in his pocket and a small bag of marijuana tucked between the driver's seat and the center console. When the trooper asked whose marijuana it was, Kosmes said it belonged to "everyone in the vehicle."

A test of Terno's blood alcohol level revealed a concentration of 0.138 percent.

All four of the men are in custody at Saline County Justice Facility and are scheduled to appear for arraignment in Associate Court Wednesday, March 10, before Judge James T. "Tut" Bellamy.

Terno's bond is set at $3,000 cash only. Ruben, Kosmes and Keoma Este are being held on cash or surety bonds of $1,500.

Charges contained in reports provided by law enforcement officials are not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting charges must be presented before a jury, whose duty is to determine if the accused is guilty or not guilty of the charges.

Contact Kathy Fairchild at marshallhealth@socket.net