March 5, 2009

Police: Heroin found in pregnant woman's waistband

The News Journal

A traffic stop south of Wilmington led to drug and other charges against a driver and his passenger, a pregnant woman who was allegedly found with 73 bags of heroin concealed in her waistband, police said.

Shawnett Backus, 31, of the 2500 block of Claymont Street in Wilmington, and Jeron Johnson, 27, of the 100 block of E. 30th St. in Wilmington, were each charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, maintaining a vehicle for keeping a controlled substance, tampering with evidence and conspiracy.

Johnson was also charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, possession of an electronic stun gun and traffic offenses.

Backus was committed to the Baylor Women's Correctional Institute after failing to post $15,000 secured bail, and Johnson was committed to the Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $54,003 secured bail.

Their car was pulled over for a window tint violation on Rogers Road near Del. 9 at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, said New Castle County police spokesman Cpl. Trinidad Navarro.

Johnson was unable to provide an insurance card for the vehicle, and a search of the vehicle found six bags of heroin between the seats and a loaded .22 caliber handgun and a stun gun in the trunk, he said.

Both were taken to police headquarters, and a subsequent search of Backus, who is four months pregnant, found an additional 73 bags of heroin hidden in her waistband, he said.