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<\/a>Gina Bongiorno (Harrison County Sheriff)<\/p>\nAn Austin, Texas, woman faces a felony drug trafficking charge in Harrison County after authorities reported finding approximately 214 pounds of marijuana inside a Jeep during a search authorized by a warrant.<\/p>\n
Gina Maria Bongiorno is charged in Harrison County Circuit Court with second-degree drug trafficking. The felony complaint alleges Bongiorno knowingly possessed more than 66 pounds of a mixture or substance containing marijuana on or about Aug. 8 in Harrison County. Prosecutors filed the charge as a class C felony under Missouri law.<\/p>\n
According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol probable cause statement, a trooper contacted Bongiorno at about 5 p.m. Aug. 8 and reported observing multiple indicators of what the trooper believed to be criminal activity involving the transportation of contraband.<\/p>\n
The trooper asked Bongiorno for permission to search a white 2025 Jeep Wagoneer displaying Colorado registration. Bongiorno declined to consent to the search. The probable cause statement says she was advised she was free to leave while authorities sought a search warrant for the vehicle.<\/p>\n
At approximately 7:30 p.m., Harrison County Circuit Judge Jay Hemenway granted the search warrant. During the subsequent search, the trooper reported opening a rear passenger door and finding five large hockey-style duffel bags and one large suitcase containing packages of marijuana.<\/p>\n
Authorities later weighed the marijuana on a non-certified scale at Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop H headquarters in St. Joseph. Its approximate weight was 214 pounds.<\/p>\n
At approximately 8:21 p.m., officers with the Bethany Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol located Bongiorno in Bethany. She was taken into custody and transported to the Harrison County Jail.<\/p>\n
The probable cause statement cited Bongiorno\u2019s out-of-state residency and the reported discovery of approximately 214 pounds of marijuana as reasons the trooper believed she might not appear in court in response to a criminal summons. The arrest warrant lists an Austin, Texas, address for Bongiorno.<\/p>\n
Court records show an arrest warrant was issued in the case. The warrant listed the charge as second-degree drug trafficking, a class C felony, and set bond at $100,000 cash only.<\/p>\n
A bond hearing was held Aug. 13 before Hemenway. In considering whether the existing bond should be changed. The court denied a change in bond, finding by clear and convincing evidence that the existing conditions were the least restrictive conditions necessary to secure Bongiorno\u2019s appearance and protect safety.<\/p>\n
The case was continued to Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 1:30 p.m. in the Harrison County courtroom in Bethany.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The charge is an allegation, and Bongiorno is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n
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