BEDFORD– A Bedford woman was arrested twice in the early hours of Saturday, June 7, on charges of possession of marijuana and public intoxication following a series of erratic behaviors and a noise complaint.
Sgt. Whitney Daugherty-Anderson of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department first responded to a noise complaint in the 80 block of Sunny Acres Drive. Upon arrival, she encountered Shannon M. Werner, 51, walking towards the residence from the roadway without shoes and wet from the rain. Werner claimed her boyfriend was chasing her with a belt, a claim later disproven.
During the initial interaction, Werner admitted to smoking marijuana that night and voluntarily retrieved two plastic baggies of the drug. Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson noted the smell of burnt marijuana at the residence. Werner stated she ordered the marijuana online from California. The two bags, labeled “Strawberry Cherry Gelato 14G Flash” and “Permanent Marker 14G Flash,” had a total weight of 31 grams.
After her boyfriend arrived, officers attempted to mediate the situation, with both parties agreeing to stay on opposite ends of the porch. Werner, however, continued to exhibit inconsistent communication and disoriented behavior.
Approximately 20 minutes later, dispatch received another call about a female trying to flag down vehicles in the 3000 block of South I Street. Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson located Werner in the middle of the roadway at 3436 South I Street, carrying a lighter and a dumbbell. Werner repeatedly stated she wanted to be taken to jail.
She was placed under arrest for public intoxication and possession of marijuana. While en route to the jail, Werner continued to make inconsistent claims, including that her boyfriend took her phone and threatened to sue the arresting officer. She exhibited hostility during booking.
A Probable Cause Affidavit outlines the initial findings and allegations that led to an arrest. Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
