NEWARK, DE — A Maryland couple has been arrested on gun and drug charges following a traffic stop in Newark, Delaware. Wesley Lyons, 34, of Edgewood, and Nicole Cottingham, 37, of Abingdon, were taken into custody early Tuesday morning.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. on December 12, 2023, members of the New Castle County Governor’s Task Force were patrolling Churchmans Road in Newark. This area has been a concern for local residents, who have reported frequent incidents of drug use, violent crimes, and other disturbances impacting their quality of life.
Delaware State Police Detectives spotted a black Acura RL with expired Maryland registration plates exiting a hotel parking lot and beginning to travel on Churchmans Road. They conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Lyons, and the front-seat passenger, Cottingham.
During the stop, detectives performed a consensual search of the vehicle, which resulted in the discovery of a loaded firearm and two clear plastic bags containing approximately 120 grams of cocaine.
Both Lyons and Cottingham are convicted felons, which makes it illegal for them to possess a firearm or ammunition. Following their arrest, they were transported to Troop 2 and charged with multiple crimes.
Lyons’ charges include possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance Tier 3, possession of a controlled substance Tier 3, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited who also possesses a controlled substance, possession of a firearm/ammunition by a person prohibited, and carrying a concealed deadly weapon. Lyons was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $70,050 secured bond.
Cottingham was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance Tier 3, possession of a controlled substance Tier 3, possession of a firearm/ammunition by a person prohibited, and carrying a concealed deadly weapon. She was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $60,000 secured bond.
The Delaware State Police remind the public that an arrest, or a criminal complaint, is not an indication of guilt. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation into this case continues.
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