(7-10-26) UPDATED

Drug Arrest Results from Traffic Stop

On July 9, 2026, at approximately 10:53 a.m., a Celina Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Dodge Ram pickup truck traveling on Grand Lake Road near the railroad tracks after observing the vehicle operating without a visible license plate.

During the course of the investigation, the officer located a significant quantity of suspected methamphetamine, suspected psilocybin mushrooms, and various items of drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

The driver, Brandon Michael Vede, 42, of Slaughter, Louisiana, was arrested on multiple felony drug-related charges. He is currently being held without bond at the Mercer County Jail pending review by the Mercer County Grand Jury.

Kendra Lee Keesler

Also arrested was the passenger, Kendra Lee Keesler, 31, of Van Wert, Ohio. Keesler was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant issued by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office and was subsequently transferred to their custody.

The Celina Police Department would like to thank Mercer County Prosecutor Erin Minor and Mercer County Job and Family Services for their assistance during this investigation.

(7-9-26) The Celina Police Department booked Brandon Vede (42) on a 5th degree felony of possession of drugs, obtain posses or use.

In Ohio, a 5th-degree felony (F5) for drug possession means being charged with knowingly obtaining, possessing, or using a controlled substance under Ohio Revised Code 2925.11. Penalties include 6 to 12 months in prison and up to a $2,500 fine.

Why a Charge Becomes an F5 Felony

Felony classifications depend on the drug’s schedule and the amount possessed:

  • Schedule I & II Drugs (Aggravated Possession): Possessing less than a bulk amount (e.g., less than 5 grams of cocaine, or any amount of fentanyl) is typically an F5.
  • Schedule III, IV & V Drugs: Possessing more than a 30-day supply, or possessing any amount if you have prior drug convictions, can result in an F5.

Potential Penalties & Sentencing

  • Incarceration: 6 to 12 months in a state prison.
  • Community Control (Probation): For first-time offenders, judges often utilize up to 5 years of probation with mandatory substance abuse treatment or random drug testing instead of jail time.
  • Collateral Consequences: Discretionary driver’s license suspension, loss of firearm rights, and difficulty securing future housing or employment.