Update: Teen Charged with Drug Possession After Mom Lets Cop Search Car

An 18-year-old Muskego man is facing charges after he was allegedly caught with a marijuana pipe in his car outside of an underage drinking party.

John W. Gemeinhardt was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Wednesday with one count of possession of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted, he faces up to seven months in jail and $1,500 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

On May 19, Muskego police officers were called to Nature Drive after someone reported two suspicious vehicles parked outside of a house under construction. Officers found the cars empty, but soon discovered an underage drinking party nearby on Clearbrook Drive.

When officers arrived at the party they found Gemeinhardt sitting in the driver’s seat of his car with three other people and trying to conceal something as officers arrived. The car smelled of marijuana and the officer felt Gemeinhardt was under the influence of the drug, but Gemeinhardt refused to let him search the car.

The officer then called Gemeinhardt’s mother to pick him up and after he explained the situation she allowed the officer to search the car where he found a marijuana pipe with residue inside.

He will make his initial appearance in court Aug. 27.

UPDATE: Muskego Police clarified that while Gemeinhardt is 18 years old as he faces charges, he was 17 years old at the time of the incident. The vehicle he was in was registered to his mother.