By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Authorities charged an Albemarle man and woman with drug possession after a passer-by reported that they were unconscious inside a vehicle at an abandoned store.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Shania Ann Jones, 22, of the 24300 block of St. Martin Road, Lot 14, with felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a controlled substance Schedule IV; misdemeanor simple possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance; misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia; and misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon.

Derick Lynn Poplin, 28, of the 300 block of Freedom Drive, Lot 6, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance Schedule IV; felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance Schedule IV; misdemeanor possession of marijuana; and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He also was cited for driving while his license was revoked.

There also were outstanding orders for Poplin’s arrest by Montgomery County on charges of felony possession of a controlled substance Schedule I and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

A driver in the area of Stokes Ferry and Liberty roads called authorities about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday and reported that a man and woman were either unconscious or asleep in a parking lot. Deputies said both Poplin and Jones appeared to be impaired. Poplin told officers they had just come from the beach and were headed to visit someone. He said they stopped to rest at the vacant store.

Both denied using drugs, but the officer detected the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle, according to a department report. The officer asked Poplin and Jones if there was anything illegal inside the vehicle, and both said no.  he officer searched the vehicle and found 28 milligrams of Xanax near the driver’s seat and an unused pipe. The officer searched Jones’ purse and found a pink stun gun and a black sock with three syringes inside.

In addition, the officer found a clothes basket in the trunk with an even stronger odor of marijuana. Two pairs of balled-up socks inside contained two bags of marijuana, a report said. Jones had 5 milligrams of marijuana in her front pocket, according to the report. Poplin told the deputy he was concerned about the Xanax because he still owed money on it and was trying to sell it for a friend.

Poplin remains in the Rowan County jail under a $3,000 secured bond for the Rowan County charges.

Jones remains in the county jail under a $3,500 secured bond.