Drug Distribution Charges Filed After Traffic Stop in Watertown

Watertown Police Department confiscates drugs and paraphernalia during a traffic stop, leading to distribution charges.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - A routine traffic stop in southeast Watertown on September 27 led to the arrest of a woman on multiple drug charges, including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

At approximately 11:47 a.m. on the day of the incident, a Watertown Police officer stopped a vehicle. The driver was identified as Chantel Rodengen, a 35-year-old resident of Wallace, South Dakota. During the stop, the officer determined that Rodengen was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license and was currently on parole.

A follow-up search of the vehicle uncovered a significant quantity of methamphetamine that was packaged for sale. Officers also located drug paraphernalia and other items consistent with the distribution of illegal substances.

Rodengen was taken into custody and transported to the Codington County Detention Center. She has been formally charged with:

·        Possession of a Methamphetamine

·        Ingestion of a Controlled Substance

·        Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

·        Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

·        Driving While Suspended

Bond for Rodengen has been set at $10,000 cash. The Watertown Police Department stated that the case remains under investigation. As with all legal matters, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A collection of items including a digital scale, bags containing a white crystalline substance, a glass pipe, plastic pouches, and two mobile phones, all laid out on a table, possibly indicative of illegal drug-related activity.