More than 15 pounds of marijuana were found inside a New Madrid substitute teacher's car early Thursday morning when he was stopped by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper, patrol officials said.

Marks J. Higgerson, 27, was charged with felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He remains in the Cape Girardeau County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bail.

The traffic stop occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on Interstate 55. Higgerson was southbound at the 109 mile marker. Trooper Aaron Harrison was the investigating officer.

Dr. Mike Barnes, superintendent of the New Madrid County School District, said Higgerson is a graduate of the school and had only worked occasionally as a substitute teacher in the past.

Barnes said Higgerson had passed a background check prior to doing any substitute work.