St. Louis resident Andrea Young is expected to appear in court for a hearing with Judge Evans presiding on Nov. 14 following an arrest in Webster County.
Young has been charged with a Class B felony of drug trafficking and a Class E felony of drug paraphernalia possession after a traffic stop two years ago.
According to a probable cause statement from the Missouri Highway Patrol, the incident occurred on the morning of Apr. 30, 2021. An officer was observing traffic on Interstate 44 when a vehicle passed by. The officer noticed the driver, later identified as Young, was sitting very rigid, had drastically reduced his speed, and did not have a front license plate. The officer pulled out and initiated the traffic stop.
When the officer approached the vehicle, he explained to Young the reason for the stop and asked for his license and registration. The officer immediately noticed the strong smell of cologne and marijuana. When Young opened his center console to retrieve his wallet, the officer saw a bag containing marijuana. Young quickly closed it, gave his license, and explained he did not have proof of insurance for the vehicle. He was asked to step out.
Young changed his story twice and displayed very nervous behavior while talking. After looking up Young in the police system, the officer found that Young had multiple outstanding warrants in Ste. Genevieve County. The officer then asked to search the vehicle, but Young declined, stating he wanted to get the marijuana out. When asked if he had a medical license, Young said he did not. He was arrested for the outstanding warrants, and a probable cause search was conducted on the vehicle.
Shortly after Young was arrested, another officer arrived and assisted with the search. They found a package containing a powdery substance, which Young explained was crushed-up stomach medicine. Officers continued the search and found more bags with the same substance, a digital scale, and a bag of marijuana. Upon searching the trunk of the vehicle, a suitcase was found. It contained a pill press, hotel keys, cell phones, and sandwich bags when opened. When questioned about the contents, Young explained it was all for candy and that he was merely experimenting. Further investigation was conducted, and the substance was found to be narcotics.
Currently, Young is out on bond and is expected to be in court with his attorney on Nov. 14.
If he is convicted, Young faces five to fifteen years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the Class B felony. The punishment for the Class E felony is one to four years in MODOC, a one-year special term in county jail, a fine up to $10,000, or a combination of jail time and a fine.
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