A Different Kind of Traffic in the I-70 Work Zone: Six Charges, No Bond
WARRENTON, Mo. — A construction-zone speeding stop became a drug investigation Monday night after Warrenton police reported finding approximately 100 capsules of suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine and dozens of pills.
Caitlin Mary Elizabeth Church, of Wellsville, faces six charges following the October 5 stop on westbound Interstate 70. Police said a passenger was also taken into custody.
Caitlin Church — Wellsville, Mo.
CHARGES
Trafficking drugs, second degree — Class B felony
Possession of a controlled substance — Class D felony
Possession of a controlled substance — Class D misdemeanor
Exceeding the posted speed limit by 11–15 mph — Class C misdemeanor
Operating another person’s vehicle knowing the owner had not maintained financial responsibility — Class D misdemeanor
Driving while revoked or suspended, first offense — Class D misdemeanor
Around 10:23 p.m., a Warrenton police officer stopped a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt near mile marker 191 after observing it traveling 70 mph through a posted 55 mph construction zone, according to the probable cause statement.
Church reportedly told the officer she did not have insurance readily available and that her license was suspended. A records check showed it was revoked.
The stop soon moved beyond speeding and license status. According to the statement, Church handed over two plastic bags concealed on her person. Inside were more than 100 capsules containing white powder, more than 44 orange tablets and another bag containing a white crystalline substance.
After being advised of her Miranda rights, Church allegedly identified the capsules as fentanyl and the orange pills as Xanax. The crystalline substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the statement.
In its public announcement, Warrenton police said officers obtained consent to search the vehicle and reported recovering approximately 100 capsules of suspected fentanyl, roughly two grams of methamphetamine and 44 Xanax pills.
Police said the passenger had an active arrest warrant and was also taken into custody on a controlled-substance possession charge. The department did not identify the passenger.
The probable cause statement also noted that Church was on active probation for unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
Although the department initially announced first-degree drug trafficking, the court warrant lists the filed charge as second-degree trafficking.
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