Ohio State Highway Patrol seizes suspected cocaine in Richland County

March 10, 2011 at 12:30p.m.

MANSFIELD — An Ohio man is facing felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized a kilo of suspected cocaine valued at $100,000 after a traffic stop in Richland County.

According to a patrol news release, troopers stopped a 2003 Dodge Durango for a window tint violation, on northbound Interstate 71, about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Criminal indicators were observed and a patrol drug-sniffing dog alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed a kilo of suspected cocaine in the back seat.

The driver, Pearmon M. Jones II, 47, of Sheffield Lake, was charged with possession of cocaine and trafficking of cocaine, both first-degree felonies.

Jones was incarcerated in the Richland County Jail. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and up to a $40,000 fine.