Erratic driving leads to felony possession charge for Gillette woman

A Gillette woman was arraigned in District Court last week on a charge of possession after being pulled over for erratic driving on the interstate in Crook County.

On April 22, a Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy receive a report from dispatch at around 4:51 p.m. that a passenger car was drifting all over the road on I-90 heading into Crook County. The deputy observed the vehicle and followed it off the interstate at exit 199, where it turned onto Hwy 111 towards the Frontage Road.

The deputy allegedly observed the vehicle fail to stop at the stop sign and caught up to it as it was turning into the Wyoming Welcome Center. He executed a traffic stop.

The driver, Mandy Selby, allegedly admitted she knew she was not driving well and was not surprised she had been reported. She claimed to be traveling from Whitewood, SD, to Gillette and was falling asleep, so she pulled into the rest area to take a break.

The deputy reports that Selby seemed “very awake” and was showing mannerisms he recognized as consistent with a drug user. He observed multiple lighter devices in the area of the center console.

Selby was allegedly found to have a current arrest warrant in Niobrara County for failure to appear. The deputy reports asking her to exit her vehicle and placing her in handcuffs, then performing an inventory of her vehicle prior to it being towed.

The deputy allegedly found 5.5 grams of suspected marijuana in the center console area.

Selby faces one felony count of possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense, carrying a maximum penalty of five years’ incarceration, a $5000 fine or both.