Area transient arrested on drug and weapons charges

Hunter
08/02/23

An Iowa City area transient has been arrested after a traffic stop allegedly turned up drugs and a handgun.

Police say 49-year-old Melissa Hansen was a passenger in a Chevy Malibu that was stopped on the 500 block of South Lucas Street at around 5:30 pm Monday on suspicion of being involved in an earlier weapons offense.  She allegedly told officers that there was a marijuana pipe inside the vehicle.

A subsequent probable cause search of the Chevy reportedly tur ne dup the pipe, as well as a methamphetamine bong, meth, and a handgun that Hansen allegedly claimed ownership of.

She was taken into custody and charged with Person Ineligible to Carry Dangerous Weapons, Meth Possession, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  If convicted on all counts, Hansen could be sentenced to  up to 25 months in jail.