IFN Staff

A Kannapolis woman faces felony drug charges and a misdemeanor firearms charge after a vehicle she was traveling in over the weekend was stopped by an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Kathryn Elizabeth Coley, 36, of State Avenue, Kannapolis, in a news release Monday.

Her arrest stems from a traffic stop conducted by ICSO Deputy D. Perry, who was monitoring traffic along Charlotte Highway in Mooresville when he observed a black Jeep Compass displaying a license plate that did not match the vehicle, Campbell said.

During the stop, a passenger in the Jeep identified as Coley, admitted that the license plate did not belong to the vehicle and stated that there was an open container of alcohol under her seat, as well as a handgun in the glove compartment, according to the news release. She also confirmed she did not have a concealed carry permit, Campbell said.

After additional officers arrived on scene, a search of the vehicle uncovered the open alcoholic beverage, a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun, empty alcohol containers, and drug-related paraphernalia with white powder residue, according to the news release.

When Coley was searched, she was found to be in possession of cocaine, the sheriff said.

Coley was arrested and charged with Felony Possession of Cocaine, Felony Maintaining Vehicle for a Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor Carrying a Concealed Gun, and Misdemeanor Possession of an Open Container Alcohol

The suspect was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where Magistrate Hollar denied her bond because she was out on bond for other pending charges. The driver was not charged.