JENKS TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A 30-year-old woman was arrested on felony contraband and related charges after allegedly possessing marijuana at SCI-Forest, in Jenks Township, Forest County.
According to online court records, Marienville-based State Police filed criminal charges against 30-year-old Venessa Lynn Lopez, of Monessen, Pa.
According to a criminal complaint, around 9:15 a.m. on September 4, Officer Whisner, of PSP Marienville, responded to SCI Forest located at 1 Woodland Drive, in Jenks Township, in response to a female possessing marijuana in her vehicle.
Upon arrival, Officer Whisner met with a K-9 unit officer who indicated that “he located three partially burnt ends of what he believed to be rolled marijuana in (Venessa Lopez’s) vehicle, after gaining permission from her to search the vehicle,” the complaint states.
“The substance was NIK tested in front of (Officer Whisner), which tested positive for marijuana,” the complaint indicates.
Venessa Lynn Lopez was then placed under arrest for Contraband and Possession of Marijuana, the complaint continues.
According to the complaint, around 10:36 a.m. on September 4, Lopez was read her Miranda Warnings and agreed to give a statement. She allegedly stated that she allowed a friend of hers to smoke the marijuana in her car, but believed that her friend had thrown the roaches out of the vehicle. Lopez allegedly stated that this occurred at least two months prior to this incident.
The marijuana was then placed into evidence at PSP Marienville, the complaint continues.
Court documents indicate criminal charges were filed against Lopez in District Judge Daniel L. Miller’s office.
She was arraigned at 12:15 p.m. on September 4, on the following charges:
- Contraband/Controlled Substance, Felony 2
- Marijuana — Small Amount Personal Use, Misdemeanor
Lopez was released on $25,000.00 unsecured bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on September 20 with Judge Miller presiding.
