Cases of drugs and firearm charges against a Eugene, Oregon couple were dismissed in Dawson County District Court Monday. It stems from a Nebraska State Patrol traffic stop at 8:25am on December 12, 2025 as a Trooper pulled over an eastbound vehicle for speeding on Interstate 80 near the Lexington interchange.
After the Trooper issued a warning to the driver for the traffic infractions, they obtained consent to search. Dawson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrived on the scene and assisted in the search.
A state patrol report says a search of their vehicle yielded 46 grams of Methamphetamine, Multiple ammunition boxes, Multiple glass smoking pipes with Methamphetamine residue, Over $6,000 in currency,
A stolen firearm along with other forms of paraphernalia and potentially stolen coins.
It resulted in the arrests of 56-year-old Michael J. Marsh and 45-year-old Kristian Morris on Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute(at least 28 grams but, less that 140 grams) while Possessing a Firearm and Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony among other charges.
But, the case unraveled when a Dawson County District Court judge ruled that evidence seized during the traffic stop cannot be used against Marsh, finding that Nebraska State Patrol unlawfully extended the stop after its original purpose had been completed. Judge Chawnta Durham granted Marsh’s motion to suppress evidence on July 2, concluding that although the initial stop for speeding and failing to maintain a lane was lawful, the continued questioning and search violated the Fourth Amendment.
According to court records, a trooper stopped Marsh after observing him driving 88 miles per hour in a 75-mile-per-hour zone near Lexington. After issuing a warning citation and telling Marsh he was “good to go,” the Trooper immediately continued questioning him about drugs and weapons and obtained consent to search the vehicle. Judge Durham ruled the continued detention was not supported by reasonable suspicion and that Marsh’s consent to search was tainted by the unlawful detention. As a result, all evidence obtained from both the roadside search and a subsequent search warrant were ordered to be suppressed.
Morris had recently been ruled as not currently competent to stand trial.
During brief hearings on both cases Monday, the State moved to dismiss the charges at the State’s costs. The motions were approved by Judge Durham.
