FROM STAFF REPORTS

A Taylorsville man faces a felony drug charge after being stopped for a motor vehicle violation by an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Tyrone Lemott Dye, 45, of Polk Street, Taylorsville, in a news release on Thursday. 

Dye’s arrest stems from a traffic stop conducted by Deputy G.W. Wiedenmann. The deputy, who is assigned to the ICSO Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team, stopped a Volkswagen Passat near the intersection of Rickert Street and East Garner Bagnal Boulevard on December 3. According to DMV records, the registered owner of the vehicle had a suspended driver’s license, and the driver matched the description of the owner.

While speaking with Dye, who was driving the vehicle, the deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, according to the news release.

A subsequent search of both the driver and passenger revealed that the passenger was in possession of approximately 11.6 grams of marijuana, Campbell said. The passenger was issued a citation for two misdemeanor drug offenses.

Further investigation revealed that Dye had an outstanding order for arrest. He was taken into custody.

Sergeant W.E. Line then conducted a search of the vehicle and found a bag containing approximately 78.1 grams of marijuana hidden in the trunk, according to the news release.

As the driver and person in control of the vehicle, Dye was charged with felony possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor drug offense, and driving while license revoked.

Dye was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he appeared before Magistrate R. Imes. He received a $1,000 secured bond for the outstanding warrant and an additional $2,500 secured bond for the new charges.