Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Drug Arrest

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

HOUSTON COUNTY – A traffic stop on Monday, Feb. 12 led to the arrest of a Houston County woman on felony drug charges.

Donna Annette Graham, 58, was stopped by Houston County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies shortly before noon on Monday for driving on the wrong side of the road in a no passing zone.

HCSO Investigator Jerry Kaelin initiated the stop after he observed Graham on commit the traffic offense. Shortly after she was stopped, Deputies William Garner and Matthew Vanegmond arrived on the scene.According to an affidavit of probable cause, Graham appeared to be irate over the traffic stop and was “… later placed under arrest for failure to maintain financial responsibility for her vehicle.”

Graham was placed in the back of a patrol unit and asked if she had any illegal substances or contraband on her person “… because it could not be taken inside of a correctional facility.”

Graham appeared to have several items in the front pocket of the hoodie she was wearing and when Gardner attempted to check the pocket, she pulled away from him.

“(She) stated pulling items from her hoodie pocket and handing them to Deputy Gardner. During this time, Deputy Vanegmond saw Graham pull out a dark colored glass pipe and then immediately place it back inside her pocket,” the affidavit reported.

When she was asked about the item, Graham replied “I don’t know.” She was then removed from the patrol unit and searched.

The deputies discovered “… a small pipe that appeared to be used for smoking methamphetamine and a small, clear plastic baggie containing a large, crystal, rock-like substance which later tested positive for methamphetamine,” the probable cause document stated.

After discovering the illegal narcotic, a search was conducted on Graham’s vehicle which yielded eight grams of marijuana, two black magnetic boxes which contained what appeared to be methamphetamine residue and a second glass pipe containing marijuana.

Graham was transported to the Houston County Jail where she was booked into custody on a charge of manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance – penalty group one – in an amount greater than or equal to one gram but less than four grams.

Under Texas law, this offense is considered a second degree felony. According to Section 12.33 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the second degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 20 years or less than two years. In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the second degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.”

Graham is being held on a $20,000 bond.

Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

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