A report of a man slumped behind the wheel of a car parked in Gering ends with the discovery of more than a pound of methamphetamine, opioid pills and the driver behind bars.
Court records say police responded to the 1800 block of Q Street Wednesday, finding Clay Borchert awake and talking, but showing signs of impairment while denying he had been drinking or using drugs.
Officers say a preliminary breath test found no alcohol in his system, but a Scottsbluff Police drug recognition expert said the 51-year-old Centennial, Colo. man was showing signs of both depressant and stimulant use.
Investigators say the man refused to provide a urine sample for a drug test, even after a search warrant was obtained, and he was taken into custody for driving under the influence of drugs and refusal to submit to a chemical test.
Officers say a pat-down search found two capsules with a brown substance that field tested presumptive positive for heroin, and a drug dog summoned to the scene alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle.
Investigators say after they obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, they found 590 grams of suspected meth and 797 oxycodone pills, packaged in a manner consistent with drug distribution. Additional items found included nearly $1,100 cash, scales, multiple phones and a pipe with methamphetamine residue.
Borcherts charges include felony possession of methamphetamine 140 grams or more with intent to distribute, distribution of oxycodone, two counts of no drug tax stamp, possession of methamphetamine, 1st offense DUI – drugs and refusal to submit to a chemical test.
Bond in the case was set at $600,000 with a ten percent provision during his initial appearance in Scotts Bluff County Court Friday morning.
