On March 13, at 8:39 p.m., law enforcement officers of the Merrill Police Department and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Grand Avenue in the City of Merrill. In the course of the stop and subsequent investigation, Nacole Degner, 33, of Merrill, was discovered to be impaired and was arrested for drug impaired driving by a Drug Recognition Expert. A subsequent search of Degner resulted in a seizure of methamphetamine.
A search of the vehicle revealed marijuana, packaged in a manner consistent with drug distribution and several items of drug paraphernalia.
The vehicle owner, Steven Strom, Jr., 31, of Merrill, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was also arrested at the scene. A search of Strom’s person resulted in the seizure of a loaded .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a canister of OC Pepper spray, and two very large rings believed to be intended as impact weapons similar to ”brass knuckles.” Additionally, items of drug paraphernalia were also located.
Degner was held in the Lincoln County Jail on the charges of: Drug Impaired Driving, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Party to the Crime of Maintaining a Vehicle for the Purpose of Drug Trafficking, and Delivery of an illegal article to an inmate or correctional institution.
Strom was held in the Lincoln County Jail on the charges of: Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Maintaining a Vehicle for the Purpose of Drug Trafficking, and Possession of a Concealed Weapon.
The public is encouraged to report any suspected illegal activity to: The Merrill Police Department at 715-536-8311; The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 715-536-6272; or anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Lincoln County at 715-536-3726.