An Arnold-area woman who at first was reported as the victim of a crime now faces drug charges herself.
Judith L. Gilbert, 53, has been charged with two counts of possession of drugs with intent to distribute, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reports.
Gilbert allegedly possessed several pounds of marijuana, which was packaged for distribution, the report said.
The drugs were discovered when deputies were investigating a reported break-in and shooting at the woman’s home in the 3600 block of Telegraph Road.
That incident reportedly occurred about 8 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 5). Gilbert was charged today (Jan. 6).
According to Sheriff’s Office report, Gilbert told deputies a man knocked on her front door and when she opened it, the man, who already had the screen door open, sprayed her with pepper spray.
She told authorities she tried to close the door, but the man forced his way inside, where a struggle ensued, the report said.
Gilbert said she freed herself from the man and then ran to her bedroom, closed and locked the door and got a handgun, the report said.
Then the man forced his way into the bedroom, Gilbert said. She told authorities she fired the gun at him and he ran away, the report said. It’s unknown whether he was struck by any of the bullets.
The man was still at large on Friday afternoon, and the investigation was ongoing, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
The charges against Gilbert are class B felonies and carry a penalty between five and 15 years.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office tip line at 636-797-5515.
-- Kim Robertson
