Police: Underage Joy Ride Leads to Possession Charges

Caledonia police say a young man out smoking pot and possibly drinking beer with his buddies landed him in jail after a traffic stop.

Cody Quadraccia, 20, was charged Wednesday in Racine County Circuit Court with misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer. If convicted, he faces up to 16 months in jail and/or up to $11,500 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint, Caledonia police Tuesday responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle near Randal Lane and 4-1/2 Mile Road. They initiated a traffic stop, and the driver - later identified as Quadraccia - exited the car and started to approach officers.

Quadraccia was ordered back the vehicle and police say they saw open beer cans in the back seat of the car. Officers determined that the occupants of the car were under the age of 21 and as they continued to question the defendant, he remained argumentative.

Police say they asked a passenger in the rear seat to pass them the beer cans and they smelled marijuana as well. Officers walked to the front seat of the car with flashlights and found a pipe or a bong used to smoke marijuana. At this point, police placed Quadraccia under arrest, the complaint reads.

The defendant tensed up, forcing police to use a "blanket hold" to bring Quadraccia under control. In the end, it took three officers to get the defendant handcuffed and placed in the back of a squad car. Another search of the vehicle turned up a quantity of marijuana in the glove box.

Quadraccia remains in the Racine County Jail as of Wednesday on a $300 cash bond. His pre-trial conference is Sept. 19.