A driver from Texas stopped and arrested on the Turner Turnpike and facing a felony drug count after 62 pounds of marijuana were seized and who waived his preliminary hearing has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced.
Xuejin Yan, 28, of League City, Texas was formally charged in Lincoln County District Court on July 12 with trafficking in illegal drugs.
He appeared before Associate District Judge Sheila Kirk on July 8. She set his bond at $75,000.
During his arraignment before District Judge Sarah Bridge, Yan, as the result of a plea bargain, entered a guilty plea.
The court found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to 10 years in the Department of Corrections with the balance of the sentenced suspended upon successful completion of the drug offender work camp or equivalent program.
A $25,000 fine was suspended except for $100, she assessed a $100 VCA, court costs and pay 991 fees. Yan was placed on supervised probation with DOC and ordered to report to the Probation Office within 10 days of his release and to the Court Clerk’s Office within 180 days of his release.
Assistant District Attorneys Rachel Thompson and Kelly Trimble prosecuted the case for the state and his attorney was Marco Plumbo.
Recently Yan waived his preliminary hearing/ Yan was accused on July 7, 2024 of possessing 62 pounds of marijuana, a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
State Trooper R.V. Darnell states in a probable cause affidavit that he stopped Yan shortly before 6 p.m. July 7 and conducted a traffic stop for traveling 65 miles per hour in a posted 55 miles per hour construction zone on the Turner Turnpike.
The trooper stated he noticed several large items in the back seat of the cargo area with blankets covering them as he approached the passenger side of the vehicle.
He said when he reached the passenger side window he immediately detected the odor of marijuana and asked Yan for his license. He noticed that Yan appeared nervous with shaky hands and his voice was shaky, Darnell stated.
The trooper stated he inquired of Yan if there was anything illegal in the car and Yan responded no. He further asked Yan if there was any marijuana in the vehicle and Yan again answered no.
He asked Yan if there was any methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, or weapons in the vehicle, and he replied no while laughing.