Early morning traffic stops Wednesday lead to 2 arrests in Marshall County

Two separate early morning traffic stops on Wednesday, March 18, resulted in the arrests of two men on driving-related charges, according to local law enforcement.

The first incident occurred at 3:06 a.m. when Deputy Geiger with the Marshall County Sheriff's Department initiated a traffic stop on a black Porsche SUV near the intersection of U.S. 31 and 19th Road. During the investigation, the driver was identified as 35-year-old Jonathan J. Ramirez of South Bend. A check of his driving record revealed that Ramirez was operating the vehicle with a suspended license and had a prior conviction for the same offense.

Ramirez was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Marshall County Jail. He was officially booked on a criminal charge of driving while suspended with a prior conviction, issued a future court date, and assigned a $500 cash bond.

Just over two hours later, at 5:20 a.m., Patrolman Allen with the Plymouth Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a blue SUV. The vehicle was pulled over for traveling 50 mph in a marked 35 mph zone while heading northbound on North Michigan Street, just south of Plymouth-Goshen Road.

After speaking with the driver, identified as 30-year-old Brayan Torres-Cardona of Plymouth, officers discovered he was operating the vehicle without ever having obtained a driver's license. Torres-Cardona was taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was booked for operating a vehicle without ever obtaining a license with a prior conviction. He was also issued a $500 cash bond.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. Suspects are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.