Sonora, CA—A Sonora woman was arrested Monday on a felony drug possession charge after an officer recognized her while she was walking on Stockton Street.
At 3:40 p.m. August 10, an officer contacted 40-year-old Stephanie Marie Shelman and arrested her on outstanding warrants, according to law enforcement. A search following the arrest allegedly found about 0.4 grams of methamphetamine and narcotic paraphernalia. A criminal history check showed Shelman had two or more prior convictions for possession of a controlled substance. Shelman was booked on charges of possession of a controlled substance with two or more prior convictions and possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
The felony charge stems from Proposition 36, approved by California voters in November 2024. The measure made possession of certain hard drugs a treatment-mandated felony for people with two or more prior convictions for drug possession. Proposition 36 gives courts additional authority to mandate addiction treatment for people convicted of qualifying offenses, either instead of or in conjunction with incarceration.
Authorities said the measure provides law enforcement and prosecutors with additional tools to connect people with addiction treatment and rehabilitation services.
