Two California residents face dozens of charges after I-15 stop in Beaver County
Court records say a Utah Highway Patrol stop led to allegations of forged checks, fake IDs, drugs and gold coins.
Based on reporting by St. George News. Read the original story →
St. George News reported that two California residents face dozens of felony and misdemeanor charges after a Utah Highway Patrol traffic stop on northbound Interstate 15 near Beaver City on Oct. 7. Margaret Elizabeth McDonnel, 33, of Westminster, and Troy Michael Hill, 36, of Culver City, were booked into the Beaver County Jail, according to court records and police statements cited by the outlet. [1]
A trooper reported that the SUV was obstructing the left lane, that the passenger appeared to be concealing items behind a seat and that the trooper smelled marijuana. Police said the items found included suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, THC vape pens and pills, along with fraudulent and blank cashier's checks, a printer, counterfeit IDs, other people's driver's licenses and credit cards, and about three ounces of gold coins. Field tests were positive for methamphetamine and psilocybin mushrooms. [1]
Charges filed in 5th District Court include a second-degree felony count of theft by receiving and 12 third-degree felonies for McDonnel, and 17 third-degree felonies for Hill, along with multiple misdemeanors for each. According to the report, McDonnel told Utah State Bureau of Investigation agents that an acquaintance offered her money to buy gold with counterfeit checks at Utah gold dealers. Police said receipts showed purchases totaling more than $10,000 made with a fraudulent check. [1]
Both made initial court appearances Tuesday, are due back Friday for detention hearings, and remained in jail without bail. The charges are allegations, and both are presumed innocent until proven guilty. [1]
Sources
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