Traffic Stop on I-80 in Cheyenne Leads to Drug Bust

Four people are facing charges in Laramie County after a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Cheyenne turned into a drug bust.

Traffic Stop Leads to Marijuana

According to booking sheets, Sergio Alejandro Mercado, 34, and Stephanie Andrea Recinos, 28, of Fife Lake, Michigan and Daniela Recinos, 21, and Luis Humberto Recinos, 52, of Reno, Nevada were arrested around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, after a sheriff's deputy stopped them at mile marker 365 on westbound I-80, about a mile east of College Drive.

Get our free mobile app

It's alleged that Mercado and Luis Recinos possessed five pounds of marijuana with intent to deliver it.

Both were subsequently charged with felony possession of marijuana, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, or both; and possession with intent to deliver marijuana, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, or both.

Mercado, along with Daniela and Stephanie Recinos, was also charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, a crime punishable by up to one year in jail, up to a $1,000 fine, or both.

Stephanie Recinos was also charged with following a vehicle too closely and driving without valid registration.

Initial Court Appearances

On Thursday, Feb. 19, Daniela and Stephanie Recinos and Mercado were seen in Laramie County Circuit Court in front of Judge TJ Forwood on their charges.

Forwood appointed each of them a public defender then asked the state for recommendation on bond.

The state recommended $500 cash bonds for Daniela and Stephanie Recinos, and a $5,000 cash bond for Mercado.

"My residency is in Reno, Nevada," Daniela Recinos told Forwood. "I would like to go home as soon as I can. I have a 10-month-old baby at home."

"I also live in Reno, so I would have to have everything happen over there," Stephanie Recinos told Forwood.

"I also have like two cars and a U-Haul that are impounded. I have two dogs, four cats, and 11 chickens that are impounded also, that I also have to get out, because I'm also like in the middle of a move, going back to Reno," she added.

Mercado begged Forwood for a percentage bond, saying he too had to travel back to Reno and that posting $5,000 would probably require him to leave all his belongings and pets impounded.

Forwood went ahead and accepted the state's bond recommendations, and set the Recinos' arraignments for Friday, April 3, at 9:30 a.m.; and Mercado's preliminary hearing for Friday, Feb. 27, at 10:30 a.m.

Because he needed an interpreter, Luis Recino was seen the following afternoon in Circuit Court in front of Judge Sean C. Chambers.

Chambers appointed him a public defender, set his preliminary hearing for Friday, Feb. 27, at 10:30 a.m., and, at the recommendation of the state, set his bond at $20,000 cash, despite him explaining that he needed to be able to return home because he suffers from high blood pressure and I didn't have any medication with him.

Foursome Out on Bond

All four later posted bond.

Please remember that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.