Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Bust in Fairbury

A Fairbury man arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop appeared in court this week.Macon J. Kaer, age 37, of Fairbury was arraigned in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. He was in custody and appeared via webcam from the Jefferson County Jail. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.On Thursday, February 22, a deputy with the sheriff’s office conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of 9th and F Streets in Fairbury for a traffic offense. According to a press release, “During the stop, the deputy located controlled substances and drug paraphernalia within the vehicle.”The driver of the vehicle was identified as Makela Grable, age 23, of Marysville Kansas. A passenger in the vehicle was identified as Kaer.The deputy was granted permission to search the vehicle. According to the Warrantless Arrest Affidavit, “In the vehicle's passenger seat, where Kaer was seated, was an unused syringe and a bag of syringes stuffed between the passenger seat and center console. In the back seat, I discovered a black bag with two syringes, one of which contained an unknown substance. There was also a pair of brass knuckles. In the back panel of the driver's seat was a large spoon, containing a white crystal-like substance. This later tested positive for methamphetamine.”A warrant was obtained to search Kaer's residence. The affidavit indicates, “A backpack labeled 'Macon's Bag' was discovered in the living room, and inside contained syringes and a zip-lock baggie. The zip lock baggie contained a black tar-like substance that had a presumptive positive for a controlled substance. The black substance weighed approximately 33 grams. While searching the shed in the back of the residence, a Taurus G3C 9mm pistol was located.”Kaer is charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a class 1B felony punishable by 20 years to life in prison. He is also charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony. One charge is for drugs allegedly found in the vehicle and one for the drugs allegedly found in the residence.The defendant was being held on a $75,000 (10 percent) bond. One of his attorneys, Joseph Murray, asked for a PR (Personal Recognizance) bond or a significant reduction. Murray said, “It's just too much.”Casson opposed a PR bond but said some reduction might be in order. Judge Bauer agreed to lower the bond to $50,000 (10 percent).Another hearing is scheduled for April 3, 2024.

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