By Brandi Makuski

A Stevens Point man faces up to three years and one month in prison for allegedly carrying 13 grams of marijuana with intent to deliver.

Nicholas Ruiz, 27, was pulled over by a Wisconsin State Trooper on March 10 during a traffic stop on Casimir Road in the Town of Hull at 7:14 PM. Initially the trooper noticed Ruiz’s vehicle had a cracked windshield, loud exhaust and rear window stickers. Ruiz opened the driver’s side door of his truck as the trooper approached and refused to close it. He also said he’d been having engine trouble and admitted to speeding, even though the trooper said he was not.

According to the criminal complaint, Ruiz was acting “nervous and stressed as he seemed to be speaking excitedly, stutter, and not finish his sentences before starting a new one.”

The trooper noted Ruiz had bloodshot eyes and the vehicle smelled of burnt marijuana. The trooper asked Ruiz three times when he last smoked marijuana before Ruiz repled, “Yeah, I smoked today”.

Ruiz also argued with the trooper, saying he couldn’t search the vehicle without Ruiz’s consent. A Portage County K-9 Unit was called to the scene and made a positive indication of marijuana in the vehicle.

Officers found 13 grams of marijuana separated into four plastic baggies and $370 in cash inside plastic containers from Ruiz’s truck. Two pipes, one glass and one metal, with marijuana residue inside were also recovered, along with a green bottle labeled “Next Harvest”, also containing marijuana.

Ruiz later admitted he had been selling the bags of marijuana for $60 each, and that he obtained the money inside the plastic container by selling marijuana on the day preceding his traffic stop.

Ruiz has a criminal history involving traffic violations, disorderly conduct and operating while intoxicated.