LAWRENCE CO.– A Shoals woman was arrested late on Nov. 19 following a traffic stop initiated after reports of erratic driving. Tela Weldon, 34, faces multiple felony charges related to the possession of controlled substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.
The incident began at approximately 9:00 p.m., when Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy Augustus Hogan was dispatched to locate a white Pontiac G6 reported to be driving erratically and “all over the roadway” while traveling eastbound on State Road 54, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Officer Hogan quickly located the vehicle, which was observed traveling slowly and repeatedly crossing the roadway on Avoca Eureka Road. A traffic stop was conducted.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Hogan identified the single occupant as Tela Weldon. Weldon reportedly advised the officer she was having difficulty seeing at night and exhibited slow and delayed verbal and physical responses.
While Weldon subsequently passed standardized field sobriety tests, the investigation continued. Weldon was found driving with a suspended license, and a citation was issued.
During the stop, Officer Kenton Carter and his K9 partner Boone arrived on the scene. Boone conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle and gave a positive alert on the driver-side door, indicating the likely presence of narcotics.
Weldon was placed into custody. A search of her person revealed a small cup-style container located in her pants. This container held multiple plastic bags of various substances that later tested positive for illegal drugs:
- A crystal-like rock substance (1.8 grams) tested positive for methamphetamine.
- A white powder substance (1.2 grams) tested positive for both cocaine and methamphetamine.
- A gray-brown powder substance (0.3 grams) tested positive for fentanyl.
- A third bag containing a brownish powder (0.8 grams) yielded inconclusive test results.
Additionally, upon initial questioning about a bulge in her clothing, Weldon had removed two bags containing unused syringes, which she claimed were not hers.
Tela Weldon was transported to the Lawrence County Jail by Captain Anthony Pope of the Sheriff’s Office. She was arrested on site and is facing several felony charges, including possession of a narcotic drug, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of meth.
The vehicle was towed from the scene by Bland’s Towing Company.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
