A Sherrard man facing felony drug charges will return to Mercer County Circuit Court for a preliminary hearing next month.
23-year-old Blake Lingafelter made his initial court appearance on Monday, where he was released from custody. His preliminary hearing is April 21.
According to a Mercer County Sheriff’s Department press release, deputies obtained probable cause to search Lingafelter’s vehicle following a traffic stop near Preemption on Friday. Lingafelter was arrested after deputies say they found nine grams of cocaine and large amounts of cash and paraphernalia consistent with the distribution of narcotics.
Lingafelter is charged with a Class 1 felony of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and a Class 4 felony of possession of a controlled substance.