The son of Waterloo Congressman Bruce Braley was arrested for marijuana possession and a weapons charge following a traffic stop last week. Nineteen-year-old Paul Braley was a passenger in a car that was pulled over by a Black Hawk County Sheriff’s deputy shortly before 2:00 Friday morning.
The vehicle was clocked at 78 miles an hour in a 65 zone along Highway 58 near the intersection with Waterloo Road. The deputy noticed a smell of burnt marijuana in the vehicle and during a search, found a five-inch long knife with a black handle in the vehicle as well.
Deputies also located a clear plastic bag containing marijuana in the car. Both Braley and the car’s driver, Joshua Edgar, denied possession of the marijuana, but Braley admitted that he carries the knife for protection.
Braley was charged with first offense possession of marijuana and carrying weapons. Both charges are misdemeanors. Edgar also faces a charge of possession of marijuana.
By Jesse Gavin, KCNZ, Cedar Falls