A routine patrol by the Knoxville Police Department led to a traffic stop after officers observed a vehicle abruptly brake and noticed a defective passenger-side lamp.
During the stop, officers made contact with the driver, a front-seat passenger, and a rear-seat passenger identified as Marjorie Shounkwiler, 45, of Chariton. A 7-year-old child was also in the vehicle, seated behind the driver.
According to court documents, a certified K9 unit was deployed during the stop and alerted to the presence of drugs inside the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed a white Aleve pill bottle on the rear passenger-side floor near where Shounkwiler had been sitting. Inside the bottle, officers found two types of pills and a baggie containing a white crystalline substance that later field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The total weight of the substance was reported to be approximately one gram.
Authorities also located a THC vape device underneath the front passenger seat, within reach of the rear passenger area.
After being advised of her rights, Shounkwiler admitted the pill bottle belonged to her but claimed it was old and denied knowledge of the methamphetamine inside.
Police also noted that the child in the vehicle was not secured in a proper child restraint seat. Due to the presence of controlled substances within the child’s reach, additional concerns were raised.
Shounkwiler was taken into custody and transported to the Marion County Jail, where she is being held on a $10,000 cash or surety bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 26th.
She faces multiple charges, including possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor), possession of a controlled substance—third or subsequent offense (Class D felony), and child endangerment (aggravated misdemeanor).
Editors Note: All information was obtained from court documents related to the ongoing investigation.
