Woman is jailed after showing up for court under the influence of drugs

A Nesquehoning woman showed up for her scheduled guilty plea under the influence of a controlled substance on Monday in Carbon County court.

Felicia Bower, 30, appeared before Judge Joseph J. Matika to enter a plea to a drug charge filed against her by Lansford police. When her case was called, she told Matika not to mind her eyes, she was blinking continuously because there was “something in my mom’s house” that was causing it. She also didn’t have all her paperwork completed. Matika then put the case to the end of the list.

When called the second time, Matika asked her if she had used any illegal substances before coming into court. He said he noticed her at the back of the courtroom falling asleep. Assistant District Attorney Joseph D. Perilli also said her paperwork was not completed correctly.

Bower denied using any illegal substances. But when asked by Matika if he ordered her to submit to a urine test would the result turn up “hot” for illegal drugs, Bower said it might because she had used methamphetamine a week ago.

Matika ordered Bower be taken to the adult probation office for a drug test. A short time later the office reported Bower tested positive for methamphetamine and heroin. Bower then admitted using the two drugs on Sunday evening.

Matika then revoked her bail and reset it at $10,000 straight cash. She was unable to post the bail and was taken to the county prison.

Matika said he would have her back in his courtroom on Friday.

“By that time you should be clearheaded,” Matika told her.