Troopers Arrest Two Subjects on Felony Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop

Delaware State Police have arrested 55-year-old Ernest Lofland of Frankford, Delaware and 61-year-old Rosa Mitchell of Millsboro, Delaware on felony drug charges following a traffic stop that occurred in the Seaford area last night.

On October 24, 2022, at approximately 11:58 p.m., a trooper on patrol observed a silver 2004 Nissan Sentra with an extremely loud muffler traveling eastbound on Old Furnace Road approaching Dove Road. Troopers conducted a traffic stop on the car on Dove Road, and as they approached the vehicle they saw passenger Rosa Mitchell discarding drug paraphernalia out of the window. Mitchell was subsequently taken into custody without incident, and a search of her person led to the discovery of approximately 0.16 grams of crack cocaine. After the drugs were recovered, vehicle operator Ernest Lofland was also taken into custody without incident. A search of Lofland led to the discovery of approximately 0.021 grams of suspected heroin and approximately 6.13 grams of crack cocaine, some of which had been concealed in his mouth.

Mitchell and Lofland were transported to Troop 5, where they were charged with the following offenses:

Rosa Mitchell
Rosa Mitchell

Rosa Mitchell:

  • Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity (Felony)
  • Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Mitchell was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $6,200 secured bond.

Ernest Lofland
Ernest Lofland

Ernest Lofland:

  • Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity (Felony)
  • Tampering With Physical Evidence (Felony)
  • Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Improper Muffler

Lofland was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $16,401 cash bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 102522  1341

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