Traffic stop results in Meth arrest

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Methamphetamines with a street value of about $2,300 were recovered by Sheriff?s deputies during a routine traffic stop a little north of
Dorothy Mitchell of Fallon, was arrested for felony trafficking of methamphetamines and possession of other items of drug paraphernalia. She is being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $251,000 bail. (Sheriff?s photo)

Methamphetamines with a street value of about $2,300 were recovered by Sheriff?s deputies during a routine traffic stop a little north of Crystal Springs on Highway 318.

Sheriff Kerry Lee said officer Mike Ray stopped a northbound 2006 Chevy Trailblazer about 10:35 p.m. on Oct. 1, and upon spotting a marijuana cigarette in the ashtray, decided to have his drug dog make a sweep around the vehicle and the dog indicated something was inside.

At this point, Lee related, the woman driver, Dorothy Mitchell, 35, of Fallon, became somewhat resistant and verbally combative and had to be physically restrained and handcuffed by other officers called to the scene.

Upon advice given by the District Attorney?s office, deputies searched the vehicle and recovered about 23 grams of methamphetamine, as well as a glass pipe, commonly used to smoke substances, and other items of drug paraphernalia.

Lee said the woman denied the white substance was methamphetamine, but field testing indicated positive. He said 23 grams is ?a substantial amount, and considered mid-level drug trafficking.?

Mitchell was arrested, charged with possession of a controlled substance, felony trafficking amounts of methamphetamines, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, and failure to maintain the travel lane on the highway.

She is currently being held at the Lincoln County Detention Center on $251,433 bail, and awaiting a preliminary hearing before Pahranagat Valley Justice Court Judge Nola Holton Oct. 16.

County DA Daniel Hooge said Mitchell is an employee of the New Frontier Treatment Center in Fallon, a program to provide substance abuse treatment services to individuals and their families.