A routine traffic stop Thursday resulted in the arrest of Ashlee Cunningham, 40 of Knoxville, North Carolina, for felony possession of controlled substances after law enforcement discovered multiple prescription pills and a white powdery substance in her vehicle.
While on patrol, officers saw a white Chevrolet Malibu making erratic lane changes on US 33 without signaling. The vehicle was pulled over, and the driver, Cunningham, stated she was driving with her daughter to Indiana for a family birthday celebration and appeared nervous during the interaction.
When asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle, Cunningham initially denied it. However, she changed her mind about allowing a search after officers called for a K9 Pyro from the Bellefontaine Police Department, to assist.
Upon arrival, K9 Pyro performed an open-air sniff and alerted officers to the driver’s side of the vehicle. This prompted a further search, during which officers found several pill bottles in a purse in the back seat. Cunningham admitted to having the items, claiming they might not have her name on them, as she had grabbed them in haste before leaving North Carolina.
The search also revealed two straws containing a white powdery substance. Cunningham was arrested for felony possession and transported to the Logan County Jail.
The incident underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement in Logan County to address drug-related offenses and ensure community safety. The juvenile passenger was taken to the Logan County Sheriff’s Office to wait for a family member to arrive.
Cunningham is now facing charges related to possession of a Schedule II drug. The vehicle was towed for further investigation.
