Steven Onate, (Buffalo County Jail, Courtesy)
KEARNEY — A Gibbon man is facing five felony charges after a loaded handgun, methamphetamine and other controlled substances were found during a traffic stop in Kearney on Thursday, June 5.
Steven Onate, 29, is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute – methamphetamine, a Class 2 felony; possession of a controlled substance – hydrocodone, Class 4 felony; possession of a firearm with drug violation, Class 1D felony; possession of a firearm by a prohibited person – first offense, Class 1D felony and possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, Class 3 felony.
Onate was arraigned in Buffalo County Court on Friday, June 6. A date for a preliminary hearing has yet to be set.
According to an affidavit submitted in the court records, on June 5 at 3:03 p.m., an officer with the Kearney Police Department observed a Buick SUV near E. 27th St. and Grand Ave. that did not signal a left turn prior to stopping at the intersection.
The officer made contact with the driver and sole occupant, identified as Onate.
Onate provided his driver’s license but could not provide proof of insurance for the vehicle. He was asked to step out of the vehicle and consented to a pat down of his person for weapons and none were found.
Another officer observed a dagger-style knife with a sheath on the floorboard and a records check showed Onate to be a convicted felon.
Officers placed Onate under arrest and a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted to search for more weapons.
During the search, officers found a prescription pill bottle labeled “doxycycl hyc” that was not prescribed to Onate or the registered owner of the vehicle.
In the glove box, officers found a loaded 9mm handgun, a bag containing 9.89 grams of methamphetamine in two baggies, a scale with white residue, 6.5 grams of marijuana, five hydrocodone bills in a baggie, two containers of THC wax, multiple needles used and loaded with a clear liquid and a mirror with white residue on it.
Onate would be booked into the Buffalo County Jail.
