Burned-Out Brake Light On Way To AA Meeting Leads To Drug Charges For Pennsylvania Woman

HUNTINGTOWN, Md. — A Pennsylvania woman is facing drug charges after a Calvert County Sheriff’s Office traffic stop for a defective brake light allegedly led deputies to discover suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside her vehicle, according to court documents.

Lora Michele Clarke, 41, of Bangor, Pennsylvania, was charged in the District Court for Calvert County with possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia following an on-view arrest on July 24, 2026.

According to the statement of probable cause, a deputy was patrolling the Huntingtown area at approximately 7:46 p.m. on July 24 when he observed a silver Honda SUV traveling southbound on Route 4 toward Plum Point Road. The deputy reported the vehicle turned onto Plum Point Road, where he noticed one of the brake lights was not functioning, prompting a traffic stop near the intersection of Plum Point Road and Cecil Lane.

After contacting the driver, who was identified as Clarke through her Pennsylvania driver’s license, the deputy asked whether there was anything illegal inside the vehicle that he should know about.

According to charging documents, Clarke initially denied having anything illegal inside the SUV. When asked whether anyone in the vehicle had recently used drugs, investigators alleged she hesitated before replying that she did not believe so and stated there had not been anyone else in the vehicle recently.

According to court documents, as Clarke and the deputy continued talking, Clarke allegedly admitted she had methamphetamine in the trunk of her vehicle inside a black purse. She reportedly told investigators she was on her way to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting because she had recently resumed using methamphetamine after previously remaining sober for about five years.

Investigators searched the vehicle and located the black purse Clarke had described.

According to court documents, deputies recovered two pink plastic drinking straws containing a crystal-like residue, one orange vial containing a crushed crystal-like substance and one small plastic bag containing a clear, rock-like substance.

Based on his training and experience in drug investigations, the deputy reported he believed the crystal-like substance was methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. Clarke allegedly confirmed to deputies that the substance was methamphetamine.

Clarke was taken into custody and transported to the Calvert County Detention Center. The suspected narcotics and drug paraphernalia were collected as evidence and submitted to the Maryland State Police laboratory for analysis, according to the charging documents.

Court records show Clarke was released on her own recognizance following her arrest. She is scheduled to appear for trial on Sept. 23, 2026, in Calvert County District Court.

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