Hearing set for drug possession
CLEARFIELD TWP — An Ohio woman faces a hearing next month in connection with a 2018 traffic stop that state police say turned up methamphetamine, marijuana and numerous pills.
Paula Stutzman, 55, of Rock Creek was recently charged with misdemeanor drug possession and driving on drugs.
Police said they clocked Stutzman going 81 mph in a 55 mph zone on Route 422 near Swartlander Lane in Clearfield Township around 11:40 a.m. Sept. 3.
Police Cpl. Jacob Jesse smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle, according to court documents, but the defendant denied smoking the drug. A search of the vehicle turned up a baggie of marijuana and a joint.
But that wasn't all. A small baggie of suspected crystal methamphetamine, more than 100 assorted prescription pills and other drug contraband were also seized, police said.
Stutzman, who did not have a prescription for any of the pills, subsequently admitted that she lied and told Jesse that the marijuana was hers, documents said.
She also allegedly acknowledged having bought the methamphetamine at a bar in Somerset County.
Police took the defendant to Butler Memorial Hospital for a blood test. Toxicology results, documents said, showed that she had marijuana, methamphetamine and the opioid painkiller hydrocodone in her system.
Stutzman is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, speeding and careless driving.
Her preliminary hearing is scheduled March 5 at the office of District Judge Lewis Stoughton in Chicora.
