Stockton duo arrested on drug charges

Frank Phillips and Nicole Halvorsen, both 28, were arrested at the Sonora Shopping Plaza of Mono Way at 9:17 p.m.

According to Sonora Police Chief Mark Stinson, an officer observed the pair acting suspiciously around a 2004 Cadillac Escalade.

Officers investigated and determined Phillips was paroled from prison under the state's AB 109 prison-realignment program — which late last year shifted from the state to counties responsibility for incarcerating and monitoring formerly prison-bound criminals convicted of low-risk offenses.

The police officers also determined the Escalade was stolen out of Manteca.

Phillips and Halvorsen denied any association with the car. However, Phillips was in possession of the key, “which he had hid in a body cavity to avoid detection," Stinson said.

Halvorsen’s purse and identification were also found inside the car, he said.

The search of the car turned up a quarter pound of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of the methamphetamine is $6,800, Stinson said.

Phillips was also in possession of $2,100 in cash, Stinson said.

Phillips and Halvorsen were arrested and booked at the Tuolumne County Jail.

Phillips was held on felony charges of possession of drugs for sale, drug transportation, possession of a stolen vehicle.

Halvorsen was booked on a felony conspiracy charge, plus misdemeanor concealing or destroying evidence and an infraction of marijuana possession.