Sibley, Iowa — A woman from the twin cities area has been arrested on drug and firearm charges after a traffic stop near Sibley.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Osceola County Clerk of Court’s Office by the Iowa State Patrol, 24-year-old Vanesa Zenet Ventura of Burnsville, Minnesota is accused of drug possession and possession of a firearm as a felon. She was arrested on Sunday.
In his statement, the trooper states that Ventura was stopped for speeding, and as she pulled over she had difficulty coming to a stop and stopped in an unusual manner. He says the overwhelming odor of marijuana was coming from the vehicle. Ventura told the trooper the passenger had been smoking marijuana. But the driver admitted that she herself had used marijuana earlier in the morning.
The trooper says marijuana and mushrooms were discovered in the vehicle in her possession.
In addition, the trooper says she was found to be in possession of a stolen handgun. According to the criminal complaint, as a convicted felon, Ventura wasn’t allowed to possess any guns, let alone a stolen one.
Ventura was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, a class D felony. If convicted on that count alone, Ventura could face up to five years in prison. She also faces misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance, speeding, driving without a license, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating under the influence.
She faces a preliminary hearing on the charges on September 5th.
Ventura was released on Monday after posting a $6000 cash or surety bond.
