State Police Arrest Two on Drug, Gun, and DUI Charges Following Traffic Stop in Leipsic

Date Posted: Tuesday, May 5th, 2026

Graphic titled “News Release Kent County” featuring a Delaware State Police Chevrolet Tahoe parked in a crop field with farming equipment in the background. A silhouette map of Delaware appears on the left with Kent County highlighted in blue, the text “BecomeATrooper.com” on the bottom center, and social media icons are shown at the bottom right corner.

The Delaware State Police arrested 39-year-old James Bell, of Camden, Delaware, and a 36-year-old woman from Bel Air, Maryland, on drug, weapon, and driving under the influence charges following a traffic stop Sunday morning in Leipsic.

On May 3, 2026, at approximately 7:45 a.m., a trooper patrolling Second Street, near Denny Street, saw a Chevrolet Tahoe commit multiple traffic violations. The trooper conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver, identified as James Bell, who showed signs of impairment. Also present was a passenger, identified as the 36-year-old woman, and an unrestrained and improperly seated child.

During the encounter, the trooper saw drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. The 36-year-old woman also provided fictitious personal information an apparent attempt to conceal her identity. All occupants were removed from the vehicle and Bell continued to display signs of impairment.

A subsequent vehicle search led to the recovery of the following items:

-A loaded handgun

-Approximately .08 grams of suspected cocaine

-Approximately .09 grams of suspected heroin

-Various drug paraphernalia

A search of the woman resulted in the discovery of additional drug paraphernalia. A computer search determined Bell has a prior violent felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing firearms. Troopers also learned the firearm was reported stolen through Delaware State Police Troop 7.

The 36-year-old woman was released after being issued a criminal summons for criminal impersonation and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bell was arrested and taken to Troop 9 where troopers obtained a search warrant for his blood. He was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $57,700 cash bond.

Image of James Bell

Possession of a Firearm Within 10 Years of Prior Conviction of Any Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited Who Also Possesses a Controlled Substance (Felony)
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
Receiving a Stolen Firearm (Felony)
Endangering the Welfare of a Child While Driving Under the Influence
Possession of a Firearm While Under the Influence
Possession of a Controlled Substance – 2 counts
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Driving Under the Influence of a Combination of Alcohol and Any Drug
Related Traffic Offenses

Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.