TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO ARREST OF WILMINGTON WOMAN FOR DRUGS AND WARRANTS

Laurel, DE-On June 18, 2024, at approximately 12:25 p.m., an officer from the Laurel Police Department was on patrol and conducted a traffic stop on a blue Ford Escape in the area of Sussex Highway and Discount Land Road. The officer stopped the vehicle after the registration was found to be flagged with multiple active warrants issued for the registered owner.

The officer made contact with the driver, who was the registered owner of the vehicle. The driver was identified as Stephanie L James (37) of Wilmington, DE. Additional checks of the driver's license and wanted status revealed she had a suspended driver's license and active warrants issued by the Wilmington Police Department, Newport Alderman Court 42, Justice of the Peace Court 20, and three issued by the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas. The oldest of the warrants was issued in 2022.

During the investigation, the driver was found to be in possession of crack cocaine, multiple ecstasy/MDMA tablets, and drug paraphernalia.

James was transported to the Laurel Police Department for processing, where she was charged with the following crimes:

• Possession with Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine (Class D Felony)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Ecstasy/MDMA (Class D Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance x2 (Class B Misdemeanor)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia x2 (Class B Misdemeanor)
• Driving While License Suspended/Revoked (Misdemeanor)

The issuance of a warrant for the arrest of a subject is merely a showing of probable cause by the investigating agency related to the above incident. The subject is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.