By Shavonne Potts

Salisbury Post

An Ohio teen was charged with drug trafficking and various traffic violations Thursday after authorities spotted her driving erratically on Interstate 85.

Deputy W.D. Smith with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department’s Community Safety Unit, saw Amanda Jo Kessler, 17, of 3034 26th St. NE Canton, Ohio, weaving in and out of traffic while traveling north on the interstate near East Innes Street.

The teen was driving at speeds that reached nearly 100 mph shortly before 4 p.m.

Department reports said Smith approached Kessler’s Ford Mustang and smelled marijuana.

“She told the officer she had marijuana under her seat,” said Capt. John Sifford of the Sheriff’s Department.

According to reports, Kessler produced two small bags of marijuana, and after a vehicle search, the deputy found hydrocodone tablets.

The painkillers, which Sifford said weren’t prescribed to the teen, and other drug paraphernalia was also found during the search.

Kessler was charged with the following:

* possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a heroin or opium controlled substance.

* trafficking by possession of heroin or opium controlled substance.

* trafficking by transportation of heroin or opium controlled substance.

* simple possession of marijuana.

* possession of drug paraphernalia.

* careless and reckless driving.

* speeding 98 mph in a 55 mph zone.

* following too closely.

Kessler remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $25,000 secured bond.

Her first court appearance is Monday.

Contact Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253 or spotts@salisburypost. com.