FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — A traffic stop led to felony drug charges for a Franklin man early Wednesday morning.
Court documents indicate the Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 25-year-old Shawn Paul Powell, of Franklin.
According to a criminal complaint, around 1:56 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, Troopers Miller and Lindenberg, of the Franklin-based State Police, were traveling north on Deep Hollow Road in Cranberry Township when a white Acura sedan traveling south failed to lower its high beams before passing the patrol vehicle.
Trooper Lindenberg then turned around and caught up to the Acura as it made a right turn onto U.S. 322 heading west and initiated a traffic stop. The driver pulled the vehicle into a private lot on the west side of 8th Street at the intersection with Elk Street.
According to the complaint, upon making contact with the driver, identified as a known female, Trooper Lindenberg noted the scent of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle and noted that the known female driver was confused and picking at her hands.
Trooper Lindenberg then asked the known female to exit the vehicle and asked her if there was anything in the car she would not want him to find.
According to the complaint, she said there was not anything she was aware of.
Trooper Lindenberg then asked the front seat passenger to exit the vehicle and asked him what had occurred that evening and what was in the car. The known male’s story did not make sense and did not match the known female’s story, according to the complaint.
The complaint states that when Trooper Lindenberg spoke to the known male a second time, the known male related that he did have a glass smoking pipe in the driver’s side front door compartment. Trooper Lindenberg then also located a handheld digital scale in a green purse, belonging to the known female, on the passenger side floor.
The complaint states that Trooper Miller located a clear plastic bag containing five small empty plastic bags containing a white powder residue, five small plastic bags containing suspected methamphetamine, and a digital scale in the pouch located in the rear of the front seat passenger — in front of Shawn Powell, located in the back seat.
At that time, all three individuals were placed in custody and transported to the Franklin-based State Police barracks for Field Sobriety Testing, interviews, and processing.
The complaint notes that the suspected methamphetamine was tested with a NIK kit, and the test revealed a positive result.
Powell was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland at 9:59 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, on the following charges:
– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
– Possession of Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor
Unable to post $5,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Venango County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, with Judge Kirtland presiding.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no charges have been filed against the other two individuals.
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