A St. Charles resident is facing multiple drug related charges following a traffic stop on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County.

A report from the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department states that just before 2 a.m. on Monday, March 29, a deputy conducted a traffic stop after he observed a black Dodge Charger following too closely to another vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle, 60-year-old Kimberly Ebernickle refused to consent to a search of the vehicle, claiming it was not hers. During a search of the vehicle, authorities located a semi-automatic handgun, which had been reported as stolen out of Walton County Georgia. Authorities say they also located several syringes with needles, a small plastic bag that contained a substance, which field tested for methamphetamine, a small container that contained a small amount of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Ebernickle is charged with Class D Felonies for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Controlled Substance Except 35 Grams or Less of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoid and two drug related misdemeanors. Bond is set at $25,000 cash only.

Ebernickle was formally arraigned and pleaded not guilty on March 30. Her next court appearance is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 7 at Lafayette County Circuit Court.