FROM STAFF REPORTS

An eastern Iredell County resident faces felony drug charges after being stopped for operating a truck with an expired registration plate.

Sherriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Joshua Owen Morrison, 40, in a news release on Thursday.

ICSO Deputy Ernie McNeely was patrolling the area of east Statesville in the River Hill Road area on September 6 when he stopped the vehicle operated by Morrison, Campbell said.

While speaking with Morrison, the deputy noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and from the toolbox in the bed of the pickup truck, according to the news release.

During a search of the truck, McNeely located one pound of marijuana and multiple packages of items which contained THC, including gummy bears, vape cartridges and pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes.

Morrison was arrested on scene and taken to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was charged with Felony Possession of Marijuana, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana, Felony Maintain a Vehicle, Place, or Dwelling for Controlled Substance, and Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia.

Magistrate Imes issued a $10,000 secured bond on these charges.

“These gummies and other edible forms of THC are what really concern me for small children, Campbell said. “The colorful packaging along with the candies appear so much like other candy young people usually eat, it would be so easy for them to get mixed up, and for a child to have an unintended incident where they consume the THC by accident. Parents and family members really need to be aware of these items.”