Following a middle-of-the-night traffic stop conducted by a Licking Police Department officer on May 5, a Winona man faces a trio of felony charges.
Jacob M. Kelly, 36, of 19750 Walker Road in Winona, is charged with trafficking drugs or attempt – first degree (a class A felony), aggravated feeling a stop or detention (a class D felony) and tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution (a class E felony).
An LPD officer reported observing a blue Chevrolet Trailblazer traveling southbound on U.S. 63 at about 2:19 a.m. that was failing to maintain its lane and crossing into the northbound side of the highway. The officer attempted to pull the vehicle over, but it accelerated and turned onto eastbound Route 32 and then onto Industrial Street.
The vehicle reportedly ended up back on southbound U.S. 63 and pulled over onto the shoulder.
Contact was made with the driver – Kelly – and he was detained. He at first provided false information about his identity, but eventually told the officer who he really was.
Before the vehicle was towed away, the officer performed a search and found a small plastic bag containing methamphetamine. During the rest of the process, a bag of meth Kelly had tried to hide was found inside the officer’s patrol car.
The amount was reportedly in excess of 280 grams.
Kelly was arrested and taken to jail and is held without bond.