Sheriff: Suspects rearrested on drug charges while free on bond

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

FROM STAFF REPORTS

A man and woman who were free on bond awaiting trial on drug charges face new charges after Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies found methamphetamine and heroin in a vehicle during a traffic stop.

On Saturday, December 21, deputies assigned to the ICSO Criminal Enforcement Team stopped a vehicle in the parking lot of the Sheetz Gas Station located at 1532 Salisbury Highway, Sheriff Darren Campbell said in a news release.

Trisha Marie Nelson
Christopher Edward Gaither

Deputies were familiar with the driver, identified as Christopher Edward Gaither, and a passenger, Trisha Marie Nelson, the sheriff said. Deputies also knew that Gaither was prohibited by a Domestic Violence Protection Order from being near Nelson.

While speaking with Gaither and Nelson about the possible Domestic Violence Order violation, deputies became suspicious about illegal drugs being in the vehicle, Campbell said. ICSO K-9 “Danny” was brought to the scene and alerted on the vehicle for the presence of an illegal narcotic, according to the news release.

While searching the vehicle and occupants, deputies located methamphetamine, heroin, and multiple items of drug paraphernalia, Campbell said.

Nelson and Gaither were arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center.

Gaither, 33, was charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Sale or Deliver Heroin, Felony Possession with Intent to Sale or Deliver Methamphetamine, Felony Maintain a Vehicle for the Sale/Use of Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Violation of a Domestic Violence Protection Order. He went before Magistrate Nicholson, who issued no bond on the domestic charge and gave him a $20,000 secured bond on the drug charges.

Nelson, 43, was charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Sale or Deliver Heroin, Felony Possession with Intent to Sale or Deliver Methamphetamine, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was issued a $20,000 bond.

On Saturday, October 26, Gaither and Nelson were stopped by the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team on Interstate 40 near Statesville. The two suspects were found to be in possession of multiple drugs, Campbell said.

Gaither was charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Sale or Deliver Heroin, Felony Possession with Intent to Sale or Deliver Methamphetamine, Felony Possession with Intent to Sale or Deliver Schedule III (Subutex), Felony Possession with Intent to Sale and Deliver Schedule IV (Xanax), Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Violation of a Domestic Violence Protection Order. He received a $50,000 bond on the drug charges.

Nelson was charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Sale or Deliver Heroin, Felony Possession with Intent to Sale or Deliver Schedule III (Subutex), Felony Maintain a Vehicle for the Sale or Use of a Controlled Substance, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She received a $15,000 bond.