📰 Early-Morning Traffic Stop on I-70 Leads to Drug Trafficking Charges in Cooper County 📰
Two individuals are facing serious felony charges following a late-night traffic stop on Interstate 70 in Cooper County, an incident that authorities say resulted in the discovery of a significant amount of illegal drugs.
According to court documents, a Cooper County deputy conducted a traffic stop on an SUV at approximately 1:21 a.m. on Friday, January 9. The vehicle was occupied by three people, and what initially appeared to be a routine stop quickly developed into a criminal investigation.
Deputies questioned each occupant separately during the stop. Records state that the driver, Nicholas Ray, 41, of Marshall, Missouri, admitted to having methamphetamine on his person. Deputies reportedly recovered a baggie containing approximately 30 grams of methamphetamine. In addition to the drug-related charges, Ray was also charged with a misdemeanor count of Driving While Revoked/Suspended.
A passenger in the SUV, James Cornine, 51, of Nelson, Missouri, also admitted to possessing methamphetamine. Deputies stated that Cornine had a baggie containing approximately 60 grams of methamphetamine, an amount consistent with trafficking-level charges under Missouri law.
Court documents further reveal that a third passenger, Katelyn J. Williams, 32, of Marshall, Missouri, told deputies she had a pipe. She was subsequently charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.
As a result of the traffic stop and subsequent investigation, prosecutors charged Ray and Cornine with Second Degree Drug Trafficking, a felony offense. Cornine is currently being held in the Cooper County Jail on a $150,000 bond, while Ray is being held on a $100,000 bond.
Authorities continue to stress the importance of vigilant patrols along major highways, noting that interstate routes are often used for the transportation of illegal narcotics. The case remains under investigation as it moves through the legal process. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.








