IFN Staff

Two suspects face felony drug charges after being stopped on Interstate 77 for a traffic violation by an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of Francisco Javier Velazquez, 28, of Lincolnton and Holly Marie O’Dowd, 26, of Denver in a news release Friday.

After stopping a vehicle traveling south on I-77 near mile marker 61 on April 21, Deputy A. Leggett made contact with O’Dowd, who was a driving, as well as Velazquez and another passenger, according to the news release.

While speaking with the occupants, deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle, Campbell said.

During the search, deputies located 460.51 grams of marijuana along with drug paraphernalia, according to the news release.

All three occupants were arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center.

Velazquez and O’Dowd were each charged with felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, felony maintaining a vehicle for the sale and use of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor drug offense. Both suspects received a $25,000 bond.

The third occupant, Cora Marie Ingle, 28, of Lincolnton was served with an outstanding order for arrest for second-degree trespassing.