JURY CONVICTS AREA WOMAN IN DRUG CASE

JACKSON, Mo. -- A Marble Hill, Mo., woman faces up to 15 years in prison after being found guilty Wednesday of possessing morphine, an assistant Cape Girardeau County prosecutor said.

Jowanda K. Chiles, 40, was found guilty by a jury after 20 minutes of deliberation, prosecutor Lora Cooper said.

Chiles had been stopped by the Missouri State Highway Patrol on June 2 after driving erratically.

When an officer looked into the van Chiles was driving, he saw syringes that were later determined to contain morphine on the consul next to Chiles, Cooper said.

A police scanner and items containing residue from ephedrine were also found in the van.

Because of a prior conviction for possession of marijuana in 1985, Chiles' range of punishment increases from a maximum of seven years to possibly 15 years, Cooper said.

Chiles will be sentenced April 9.