Brown County District Court

• Jeffrey S. Tupa, 25, Le Sueur, was charged with gross misdemeanor fifth-degree drug possession-not small amount of marijuana, introduce contraband into jail, misdemeanor DWI, fourth-degree DWI, failure to notify owner of damaged property, driving after revocation, and petty misdemeanor drug possession small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia Tuesday.

Tupa’s bail was set at $10,000 without conditions, no bail with conditions Tuesday.

According to court documents, New Ulm Police were dispatched to a vehicle crash at 7th North and Minnesota Street at 8:15 a.m. July 17. At the scene, a green Chevy Silverado was on the median and smashed into a light pole, knocking it down and causing significant vehicle damage. Nobody was at the scene.

A witness told law enforcement he witnessed the crash and that the driver was the Hermann Heights project foreman. The witness said he heard tires squealing before the swerving vehicle hit the light pole. Officers searched the truck and found two marijuana pipes with burnt residue, a black bag with a glass smoking pipe and case with 10 glass smoking pipes, ignition keys, two two glass smoking pipes that tested positive for methamphetamine in a backpack and a baggie of a green substance that looked and smelled like marijuana.

Hermann Heights Monument workers identified the driver as Tupa, who matched the description of the driver that the witness reported.

Tupa was read his Miranda Rights and agreed to talk with law enforcement. He said he “fell asleep” while driving that morning and said he crashed the day before when the power steering went out in the truck.

Tupa displayed impairment signs and admitted to smoking marijuana at 2:30 a.m. that morning. He failed field sobriety tests and was arrested for DWI. His driving status is currently revoked.

During jail processing, staff found a glass pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine, a pocket knife and three butane torches. A blood sample was obtained after a search warrant was secured. Tupa was transferred to detox.

• Dylan J. Zeitz, 21, 407 15th St. S., New Ulm, was charged with gross misdemeanor fifth-degree drug possession-not small amount of marijuana, misdemeanor DWI, fourth-degree DWI body contains any amount Schedule I or II drugs-not marijuana, fourth-degree DWI and misdemeanor driving after suspension Tuesday.

Bail was set at $6,000 without conditions, $2,000 with conditions. A court appearance was set for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 4.

According to court documents, New Ulm Police were southbound on Broadway near 12th South Street at 12:55 a.m., July 19, behind an older, black Chevrolet pickup also southbound. The truck braked and turned east onto 13th South Street and had a left brake light out.

Police stopped the truck and identified the driver as Zeitz from prior contacts. Police saw signs of intoxication. Officers were aware of his past arrests for methamphetamines and that he did not have a valid driver’s license.

Zeitz told police another person allowed him to use the truck and his license was in his apartment. Dispatched advised Zeitz’ driving status was suspended.

Police searched Zeitz and found a small baggie with a lighter. The baggie had a crystal-like trace amount of what appeared to be meth residue. Zeitz consented to the truck being searched. He admitted to smoking about $10 worth of meth about an hour earlier.

Zeitz submitted to field sobriety tests and was arrested for DWI.