A traffic stop initiated due to a cracked windshield led to the arrest of a Chattooga County woman on drug charges Thursday, July 10, 2025, according to an incident report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

Starr Padgett Stansell, 44, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Schedule IV Drug and Drugs Not in Original Container.

The incident began when Deputy Connor Ellenburg was patrolling US-27 Northbound and observed a grey Nissan passenger vehicle with a cracked front windshield. Deputy Ellenburg initiated a traffic stop on US-27 at Gore Fire Hall Rd, which the vehicle complied with without incident.

Upon approaching the vehicle, Deputy Ellenburg noted that the driver, identified as James Cagle, appeared visibly nervous. After obtaining Cagle’s license, Deputy Ellenburg spoke with the passenger, Starr Stansell, who also exhibited signs of nervousness.

Deputy Ellenburg asked both individuals if there was anything illegal inside the vehicle, to which they both denied. Due to their nervous demeanor and a suspicion of criminal activity, Deputy Ellenburg requested consent to search the vehicle from Cagle, who denied the request.

Subsequently, Deputy Ellenburg contacted Chattooga County E911 to request Deputy N. Robinson and K-9 Kendy to respond to the scene. Before the K-9 unit arrived, however, Deputy Ellenburg informed Stansell that a K-9 was en route. Stansell then reportedly told the deputy she had drug paraphernalia on her person.

According to the report, Stansell reached into her bag and produced two glass smoking devices with suspected methamphetamine residue, which she handed to Deputy Ellenburg. Based on this discovery, Stansell was detained, and Deputy Ellenburg informed Cagle that a probable cause search of the vehicle would be conducted based on the findings.

Shortly thereafter, Corporal Wilks arrived on the scene and placed Stansell into the back of Deputy Ellenburg’s patrol vehicle. Corporal Wilks advised that he had read Stansell her Miranda Rights and was able to locate eight yellow rectangle pills, labeled “R039,” on her person. These pills were identified as Alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, a Schedule IV controlled substance.

Stansell was transported to the Chattooga County Jail without further incident.