Felony DUI Arrest Expands to the Seizure of the Vehicle and Recovery of a Large Quantity of Firearms, Cash, and Drugs
Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of a male driver who was sleeping or passed out in a parking lot. Following the initial investigation, the driver was arrested for felony DUI, and the vehicle was seized pending a search warrant. Once obtained, Deputies and SCIU Detectives seized a large quantity of firearms, cash, and drugs.
On September 6, 2024, at approximately 3:30 pm, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of a driver passed out in a parking lot in the 9400 block of E. Sprague Avenue.
Arriving Deputies observed drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle, including burnt tin foil, small blue pills believed to contain Fentanyl, and a large amount of cash. Deputies positioned their marked patrol cars to try and block any escape attempt if the driver was impaired and attempted to flee.
Deputies contacted the driver of the still-running vehicle, later identified as 41-year-old Jason D. Nelson. When Nelson woke up, he immediately put his foot on the accelerator and tried to drive away, but thankfully, the vehicle was in park. Nelson was detained while Deputies continued the investigation.
Nelson admitted to using Fentanyl approximately six hours earlier and agreed to voluntary field sobriety evaluations. He was advised of his rights and agreed to answer additional questions. Nelson told Deputies he was a convicted felon and that there was Fentanyl and guns in the vehicle. He explained the firearms weren’t his and he was aware that, as a felon, he could not legally possess firearms.
A criminal history for Nelson showed convictions for two counts of vehicular Assault in 2008. Following the evaluations, Nelson was advised he was being charged with felony DUI (Physical Control).
His vehicle was seized pending a search warrant.
Deputies received a search warrant to obtain a blood sample from Nelson for testing. After the blood sample was collected, Nelson was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for felony DUI (Physical Control). During the weekend review of probable cause, Spokane Superior Court Commissioner N. Swennumson set Nelson’s bond at $5,000. Nelson posted bond on September 8, 2024, and was released from custody.
On September 8, 2024, Deputies served a valid search warrant for Nelson’s vehicle with the assistance of Spokane Valley Investigative Unit (SVIU) Detectives. During the search, Deputies/Detectives recovered:
- 6 loaded firearms: 4-Pistols (one reported stolen), 1-12 ga Shotgun, 1-9mm Carbine)
- Approximately 1.7 oz of Cocaine
- Approximately 2 oz of Methamphetamine
- Approximately 1,000 pills (believed to contain Fentanyl)
- 15 bottles of Methadone
- 7 cellphones
- 3 electronic scales
- A large amount of ammunition
- Approximately $1,000 in cash.
The recovered evidence was booked into property for additional testing. Nelson could now face additional felony charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 1st Degree (6 counts), Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (3 counts).
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Felony DUI Arrest Expands to the Seizure of the Vehicle and Recovery of a Large Quantity of Firearms" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7