Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers filed felony drug charges against a man from Warren after a traffic stop in Ottawa County, near Port Clinton, Ohio.

Rafael L. Patterson, 32, of Warren, was charged with possession of drugs and trafficking in cocaine, both first-degree felonies.  He was also charged with hidden compartments in vehicles, a third-degree felony. Patterson was being held in the Ottawa County Jail.

Troopers seized 11 pounds of cocaine, a street value of approximately $162,000, according to the press release.

Troopers stopped a 2019 Ford Taurus with Ohio registration for a window tint violation on the Ohio Turnpike on December 6 at 1:31 p.m.

Troopers observed what was described as "criminal indicators" and an OSHP Patrol drug-sniffing canine was brought in.

OSHP troopers observed what they described as tamper marks on the truck's dashboard, which was determined to be a hidden compartment.

According to the press release, once OSHP found five packages of cocaine and money inside the compartment.

Patterson could face up to 25 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine.

Patterson was arraigned in Judge Bruce Winters courtroom in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court on Dec. 9. 

A pretrial by phone is set for January 4, at 3:30 pm in Judge Winters court, with a final pretrial set for February 1 at 10:30 am followed by a jury trial February 21 at 8:30 am.