A Pleasantville woman is facing multiple criminal charges after Knoxville police say she was stopped for several vehicle equipment violations and officers allegedly found evidence of alcohol and THC use while a 13-year-old child was riding in the vehicle.
On June 30 at approximately 10:51 p.m., the Knoxville Police Department conducted a traffic stop after officers observed a vehicle traveling southbound on Lincoln Street with a non-functioning top-center brake light, inoperable license plate lights, and an expired registration sticker.
According to the criminal complaint, the driver was identified as 40-year-old Erika O’Connor of Pleasantville. Court documents allege officers observed a marijuana vaporizer device in O’Connor’s lap during the stop. She also reportedly admitted to consuming alcohol about one hour before the traffic stop.
Court records state O’Connor agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tests and allegedly admitted to smoking from the THC vaporizer approximately one hour before being stopped.
Authorities reported that a 13-year-old child was also inside the vehicle at the time of the traffic stop.
O’Connor was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail. She was later released after posting a $4,000 cash or surety bond.
Court records show O’Connor has waived her preliminary hearing.
O’Connor is charged with child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor; possession of a controlled substance (cannabidiol), first offense, a serious misdemeanor; and operating while under the influence, first offense, a serious misdemeanor.
Editors Note: All information was obtained from court documents related to the ongoing investigation.
