Illinois Woman Arraigned On Drug Charges

Renee J. Patterson, 62, of Granite City, Illinois, appeared telephonically in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.Patterson is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony punishable by two years in prison, followed by nine to 18 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine. She is also charged with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, both infractions.Patterson is represented by Public Defender Scott Gropp.According to the Warrantless Arrest Affidavit, a Jefferson County Deputy conducted a traffic stop on February 21, 2022. The driver identified herself as Mildred J. Ellis. A passenger was identified as Renee J. Patterson. The deputy wrote, “A butane lighter was visible in the cupholder area of the vehicle.”The deputy contacted the Beatrice Police Department and requested a drug dog for a sniff.According to the K9's handler, the animal detected possible narcotics.The deputy wrote, “A probable cause search of the vehicle and the bags both women had on their persons began. I located a glass pipe with white residue in Patterson's purse.”Located in the vehicle were, “multiple baggies, a container with baggies, and weights to 'zero' a small scale, inside a duffle bag,” and “a container that contained a straw, scoop, and scraper all with a white crystal residue.”The pipe and scale field tested positive for methamphetamine. The affidavit indicated they will be sent to the Nebraska State Patrol for further testing.Ellis and Patterson were both arrested at the scene.Patterson's bond was originally set at $5,000 (10 percent). Judge Bauer later reduced it to $1,000 (10 percent). Patterson paid the bond and was released.Another hearing is scheduled for April 20.Mildred J. Ellis, 51, was scheduled to be arraigned in Jefferson County Court on Monday, March 23, but failed to appear.Ellis is currently charged with delivery, distribution or possession with the intent to deliver or distribute a hazardous drug, a class 2 felony punishable by up to 50 years in prison; possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony; possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, an infraction which carries a $300 fine; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction which carries a $100 fine.Ellis was released on a $15,000 (10 percent) bond after signing a bond promising to appear for court.Although court documents list Ellis' address in Nelson, upon her arrest, she presented authorities with an Illinois identification card. County Attorney Joseph Casson indicated he had information the defendant had returned to Illinois.Judge Bauer revoked Ellis' bond and issued a bench warrant for the defendant's arrest. A new bond was set in the amount of $20,000 (10 percent).

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