An Austin man caught with a stash of meth after a traffic stop in February was sentenced to 45 months in prison Thursday in Mower County Court.

Jared Thomas Freese, 32, was convicted of felony third-degree drug possession of more than 3 grams of meth and misdemeanor DWI. Additional charges for third-degree drug sale and driving after revocation were dismissed.

An officer stopped Freese for not wearing a seatbelt on Feb. 8 and noticed him reaching to the other side of the vehicle. The officer later discovered Freese’s license was revoked, and he had a felony warrant for a weapons offense. The officer also said he saw Freese try to eat something quickly.

An officer and K-9 later searched the vehicle and found baggies, one with 2.5 grams of meth. One of the baggies appeared as if the corner were bitten off. Officers also found 1.5 grams of meth on Freese at the jail, the court complaint adds.

Freese was already sentenced to 15 months in prison for a probation violation and will continue to serve his time.