Des Moines, Ia(KTVO) — An Ottumwa man facing federal drug charges wants his police interview thrown out on constitutional grounds.
Hector Iglesias Tovar was arrested in late November for drug trafficking and was indicted on four drug trafficking and weapons charges.
Last Monday, Tovar’s lawyer filed a motion asking that his client’s statements at the time of his arrest be tossed.
Tovar was arrested after Southeast Iowa Drug Task force officers served him with a warrant to search his car in the Ottumwa Dollar General parking lot.
While some officers searched the vehicle, another officer interviewed Tovar in his squad car.
The motion to suppress says that while Tovar was read his Miranda warning, his limited English prevented him from understanding what was going on.
In addition, Tovar argues that the officer threatened to lock him up for life unless he confessed, thus making any statement coerced.
A judge hasn’t ruled on the motion.
Tovar and his co-defendant, David Lemley, are scheduled to stand trial on March 30.
Tovar has been in custody since his arrest on an immigration detainer.
