Welch charged after traffic stop arrest

An Idaho woman arrested during a March traffic stop was arraigned on multiple charges, including drug possession, in Lincoln County District Court on May 11.

Rachel Scarlett Welch, 26, faces a single count each of obstructing a peace officer, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license and criminal possession of dangerous drugs. She pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Authorities arrested Welch on March 8 at a Lincoln County truck stop. In an affidavit, Deputy Derek Breiland of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office recounted arriving at the scene about 1:29 p.m. to assist a colleague with a misdemeanor warrant.

Breiland wrote that Welch, identified by a Washington state identity card, was caught driving with a suspended license. While she was sitting on the passenger side when Breiland arrived, authorities had witnesses that saw Welch behind the wheel before switching seats with an unidentified man also in the vehicle, court documents said.

During a subsequent questioning, Welch became “very aggravated” when asked whether there were any illegal items in the vehicle, Breiland wrote.

Upon being told she could leave, Welch stayed put, Breiland recounted. Deputies opened the door and instructed her to get out, court documents said.

When she again refused, Breiland told her he was arresting her for obstruction, according to the affidavit.

“Welch still did not comply and her anger was starting to become more elevated,” he wrote. “I removed my Taser from the holster and turned it on while telling Welch that she needs to step out or she will be tased.”

Welch opted to step out and was arrested, court documents said.

Breiland said he later learned from dispatchers that authorities allegedly found a glass pipe in her bra. The device preliminarily tested positive for methamphetamine, he wrote.