BUCKHANNON – An Upshur County woman was arrested on New Year’s Eve for allegedly possessing individually packaged methamphetamine in her vehicle in November 2021.

Lindsey Howell, 20, of Buckhannon, was arrested Dec. 31, 2021, for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a felony, in relation to an incident that allegedly took place Nov. 11, 2021.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by investigating officer Sgt. R.S. Rolenson with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, on Nov. 11, 2021, officers conducted a traffic stop on a white Ford Focus traveling on Childers Run Road for an expired, temporary registration. According to the report, Rolenson and chief sheriff’s deputy Mike Coffman saw Howell acting nervous and the officers requested permission to search the vehicle.

Sgt. William Courtney with the Buckhannon Police Department was notified and brought K-9 Officer Erros on scene, at which time the dog displayed a positive indication for the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle. Law enforcement officers then conducted a search. Several grams of individually packaged methamphetamine were located inside the vehicle, along with scales and empty heroin packages.

Upshur County Magistrate Mark Davis set bail at $10,000 cash only, and as of Tuesday evening, Howell remained incarcerated in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail, according to the West Virginia Regional Jail & Correctional Authority website.

The penalty for a conviction of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine is confinement in a state correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than five years, a fine of up to $15,000 or both.