Councilwoman's spouse charged with drug possession

The husband of a Cape Girardeau city councilwoman has been charged with cocaine possession and drunken driving.

Brian Tracy, 53, of 689 Highland Drive, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and driving while suspended. The license suspension was due to an alcohol-related offense, according to the probable cause statement.

Police allegedly found cocaine in Tracy's truck after responding to a report of a single-vehicle accident around 7:15 a.m. Sunday, police spokesman Jason Selzer said.

Tracy is the husband of Councilwoman Debra Tracy and owner of Timberline International Forest Products Inc., a log export company with offices in Cape Girardeau and St. Louis and primary markets in Europe and Asia.

He was found unconscious Sunday morning in a 2006 Ford truck, Selzer said. The truck was found in a ditch at 1859 Big Bend Road in Cape Girardeau with only its tailgate showing, according to Selzer. Tracy was taken to a local hospital, treated and released.

The truck's cab allegedly smelled of alcohol, and Tracy later appeared to be intoxicated, according to Selzer.

Because Tracy was incapacitated, police towed the truck to their impound lot, Selzer said. Whenever a vehicle is impounded, an inventory search of the vehicle is conducted.

During the search, police said they found a zip lock bag in the center console containing a white powder and a vial containing a white rock substance in the driver's door, Selzer said. Both field-tested positive for cocaine.

Police also found a silver spoon and a clear tube with suspected cocaine residue, Selzer said.

Monday night Debra Tracy said she had no comment on the charges. "We're just going to let due process take its course," she said.

Mayor Jay Knudtson said he heard about the accident and was aware police were investigating. "Our heart goes out to Debra and her family," Knudtson said, declining to comment further.

Tracy was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

Southeast Missourian writer TJ Greaney contributed to this report.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

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