Guns, knives, drug paraphernalia found during Iowa City traffic stop

IOWA CITY - Guns, knives and drug paraphernalia were all discovered during a traffic stop Wednesday night.

According to University of Iowa Department of Public Safety criminal complaints, just after 11 p.m., an officer pulled over 26-year-old Mackenzie M. Lee, of Fort Dodge, for going the wrong way down Jefferson and Market streets. When police spoke with Lee, he told them he did not have any weapons, drugs or alcohol in his vehicle.

However, police said they saw multiple knives in the vehicle and Lee was removed from the car. Police then discovered Lee had a handgun in his waistband and multiple firearms in the car. Lee also had a half empty bottle of Black Velvet whiskey in his coat pocket and a marijuana pipe in the center console of his car, police said.

A spent shell casing was also found on the rear floorboard of the vehicle, police said.

Police said Lee admitted to drinking and smoking earlier in the evening, but a breath test showed his blood alcohol content to be .00 percent. He refused to provide a urine sample, police said.

Lee was arrested and faces charges of third-offense operating under the influence, possession of a controlled substance, carrying weapons in a vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on the wrong side of a one-way street and open container.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com