A Burlington pair have made video appearances in Knox County Circuit Court on Thursday for meth related charges.
25-year-old Laurenn E. Beach had her bond set at $7,500 by Judge Raymond A. Cavanaugh. Beach was charged with a Class 2 Felony methamphetamine delivery under five grams, and a Class 3 methamphetamine possession under five grams. 31-year-old Michael D. Connelly had his bond set at $5,000 and is charged with meth possession under five grams.
As part of their bond, both residence may post bail and reside in Iowa.
According to police reports, officers were doing distracted driver detail Wednesday morning at around 9:30, when they allegedly observed a blonde female holding a cellphone to her head while driving down Losey Street. Officers followed her to Henderson and initiated the stop in a parking lot in the 400-block of North Henderson Street.
Officers advised the driver that they were pulled over for cell phone violation. It was noted in the police reports that the driver “seemed very hyper and had exaggerated body gestures.”
Beach identified herself with a temporary Iowa state identification card, but did not immediately present an insurance card. It was noted in the reports that Beach was allegedly trying to shield officers from seeing into her purse while she dug through it.
It is alleged that the vehicles passenger, Connelly, initially refused to identify himself to police. Eventually telling officers his name was “Michael W. Palmer”. When asked for a birth date he did not immediately respond.
Connelly eventually gave his real name to officers, after admitting that he hesitated because of his belief there were warrants out for his arrest. Dispatch notified officers that Connelly did have a failure to appear warrant in Henderson County. Dispatch also informed officers that Beach had a barred drivers license out of Iowa.
Connelly was arrested and searched, allegedly turning up a small ziplock bag of white crystalline powder, which officers suspected was methamphetamine.
Beach became upset when officers informed her that the vehicle was to be searched. She was arrested and searched, with no contraband being found on her.
A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up several smoking devices, many improvised, a ziplock bag with trace amounts of meth, 4 grams of cannabis, and an electronic scale. A search of Beach’s purse was a ziplock bag with a small amount of meth, several sandwich bags rolled up, and $1,090 in cash.
Connelly is due back in Knox County Court on May 4th. Beach is scheduled to be making a first appearance with public defender on May 14th.
