DSP News Release: Traffic Stop Leads to Drug, Weapons Charges

Location: Southbound I-95 south of DE Rt. 141, Newport, DE

Date of Occurrence:  Friday, September 30, 2011 at 8:50 a.m.

Victim: 

-4 year old Newport News, VA child

Defendants, Charges, and Arraignment Information:

-Aracellys Lopez, 29, Newport News, Virginia

-Possession of a Controlled Substance

-Possession of A firearm during the Commission of a Felony

-Endangering the Welfare of a Child

-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

-Carrying a Concealed Dangerous Instrument

-Possession of Marijuana

-Failure to Signal Lane Change

-Following to Closely

-Speeding

Arraigned at JP Court 2 and then committed to the Delores Baylor Correctional Facility for lack of $28,200.00 cash bail.

-Christopher James Keefer, 21, Newport News, VA

-Possession of a Controlled Substance

-Possession of A firearm during the Commission of a Felony

-Endangering the Welfare of a Child

-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

-Carrying a Concealed Dangerous Instrument

-Possession of Marijuana

Arraigned at JP Court 2 and then committed to the Howard Young Correctional Facility for lack of $22,750, 00 cash bail.

Resume: 

Newport, DE- Two Newport News, Virginia residents were arrested on drug and weapons charges following a traffic stop Friday morning in Newport.

The incident began at approximately 8:50 a.m. on Friday, September 30, as a Delaware State Trooper on routine patrol observed a Dodge Caravan, which was traveling on southbound I-295 north of the DE Rt. 141 northbound ramp; make a lane change without using a turn signal. The Caravan then accelerated to a speed greater than the posted speed limit. The trooper followed the van and watched as it approached the rear of another vehicle, following it at an unsafe distance. The vehicle then made another lane change and again accelerated to a speed greater than the posted speed limit.

The trooper then conducted a traffic stop of the van on southbound I-95 south of DE Rt. 141. He then came into contact with the operator, later identified as Aracellys Lopez, 29. A male subject, Christopher J. Keefer, 21, was seated in the front passenger seat, and a four year old female juvenile was seated in the rear. As the trooper made contact with the occupants of the vehicle, he could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the interior. He also observed a folding pocket knife clipped to Keefer’s pants pocket.

The trooper then asked for and received consent to search the van. Prior to beginning the search of the van, the trooper conducted a pat down search of Keefer and along with the knife, located a fully loaded handgun magazine. He was also advised by Keefer that there was a handgun under the front passenger seat of the van. The trooper then located a Hi-Point Firearms 9 mm handgun under the front passenger seat of the van.

As the trooper continued his search of the van, he located an electric taser in Aracellys Lopez’s pocketbook. He was also able to locate a plastic baggie which contained 7.3 grams of marijuana as well as rolling papers inside of the center console, and two small baggies containing a total of 15.7 grams of crack cocaine inside of the vehicle sunglass holder.

Aracellys Lopez and Christopher Keefer were both arrested and charged with the above list of crimes. They were then arraigned and committed to the Department of Corrections for lack of bail. The status of the four year old female is unknown at the time of this release.

There are no mug shots available of the defendants at this time.

Released Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 3:40 p.m.