Cedar City — Utah Highway Patrol troopers say they pulled over a motorist for travelling 94 mph on I-15, then discovered fraudulent checks, stolen social security numbers and credit card skimmers.
Upon being pulled over Friday near mile post 67 in Iron County, the driver provided a false name and driver’s license to the UHP trooper, according to a UHP arrest affidavit submitted to the Iron County Attorney’s Office. The trooper detected a strong smell of marijuana coming from the car and the motorist “stated there was nothing I could search” before handing the trooper a cookie that he claimed contained marijuana, the report states. The driver informed the trooper that the previous day, he and several others gathered at a motel in Beaver and smoked marijuana. At that point the driver gave the trooper permission to search the car, according to the report.
During the search, troopers reported finding what appeared to be a methamphetamine pipe with residue and two empty containers with marijuana inside. On the center console were two credit cards with the name Joshua McGown; the driver initially said they belonged a friend, but then admitted they were his, police wrote in the report.
As the search of the vehicle continued, troopers located credit card skimmers “throughout the vehicle,” along with fraudulent checks, washed checks, and other financial documents and information in other peoples’ names.
A records check came back showing McGowan’s driver’s license was revoked and, after contacting Enterprises Rent-a-Car, the trooper learned the car was stolen, according to the report.
Joshua Gene McGowan, 27, of Riverside, California, was arrested and booked into the Iron County Jail where he faces two second-degree felonies, including one count of mail theft that exceeds $5,000 and one count of possessing/transferring a stolen vehicle. He also faces four misdemeanor drug-related charges along with providing false information to a police officer.
Police say there was also an outstanding arrest warrant for McGown in California.
The investigation into the case is ongoing. McGowan remains in custody at the Iron County Jail on $33,900 bail.
This report is based on statements from police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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