Mother sold drugs while children present, report says

by | Oct 12, 2015 | Drug Violations

A young Pennsylvania mother is facing several drug and other charges after law enforcement officials said they smelled marijuana emitting from her car and discovered drugs, handguns and ammunition in her possession. Police also alleged that the woman was involved in a heroin transaction from her vehicle while her two young children were seated in the back.

Officials were alerted to the incident just before 2 p.m. on Oct. 8 when a man told them he saw a woman apparently selling drugs as she sat in a Dodge Caliber. When officers responded to the scene nearby North Pennsylvania Avenue, they found a 21-year-old female driver parked in a handicapped-designated parking spot. As officers approached the car she was in, they claimed they detected burnt-drug smell and purportedly found several items, including a small quantity of marijuana, 71 rounds of ammunition, a nine mm handgun, a .40-caliber handgun, seven cellphones, $1,406 in cash and 31 stamp bags of heroin.

Police then took the woman into custody on suspicion of using a cellphone during the commission of a crime, possession of marijuana, endangering the welfare of children, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver heroin. Her bail was set for $50,000.

Drug convictions in Pennsylvania can result in costly fines and a lengthy jail sentence. A criminal defense attorney could assist individuals facing these charges to achieve a possible resolution to their case. For instance, if police behaved unlawfully prior to or during a search, evidence that was seized could be inadmissible in court, which could result in a weakening of the charges. However, in cases where the evidence cannot be contested, and a conviction appears likely, the attorney might attempt plea bargain negotiations with prosecutors to try to reduce the penalties.

Source: TribLive, “Jeannette Mom Accused of Drug Sale With Kids in Car”, Paul Peirce, Oct. 10, 2015

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