Celina man indicted on weapons, drug charges in Mercer County Common Pleas Court

CELINA — A Celina man is facing multiple felony charges in Mercer County Court of Common Pleas following a traffic stop that allegedly led to the discovery of a firearm and methamphetamine.

According to a criminal complaint filed March 2, Michael P. Marincel, 52, of Coldwater, is charged with having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony; aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony; and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

The charges stem from a Feb. 28 traffic stop conducted by Patrolman Zac Nelson of the Celina Police Department.

In an affidavit filed with the court, Nelson stated he observed a gray GMC truck with a camper shell traveling on South Ash Street around 8:27 p.m. with a license plate that was unreadable due to corrosion. A traffic stop was initiated near East Warren and South Main streets.

Nelson reported that Marincel, the sole occupant of the vehicle, appeared nervous and was sweating. A K9 unit from the Mercer County Sheriff's Office conducted a free-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics, according to the affidavit.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies allegedly located an H&R Model 733 revolver underneath the driver’s seat. Authorities also reported finding multiple plastic baggies containing a crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, along with a glass pipe commonly used to smoke the drug.

Law enforcement later weighed the suspected methamphetamine at approximately 14 grams, which authorities allege exceeds the bulk amount but is less than five times the bulk amount under Ohio law.

Court documents state Marincel has a prior conviction for trafficking in drugs from Nov. 21, 2005, in Mercer County Common Pleas Court. Because of that conviction, prosecutors allege he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The weapons charge includes a forfeiture specification seeking the seizure of the revolver as contraband or an instrumentality used in the commission of an offense.

If convicted, third-degree felonies in Ohio can carry potential prison time and fines as determined by the court.

An arraignment date was not immediately available in court records.