Special to Iredell Free News
Mooresville police officers arrested a Harmony man on Wednesday on multiple drug charges.
Garland Hartsoe, 48, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, felony possession of cocaine, and felony possession of psilocybin mushrooms.
Hartsoe was given a $75,000 bond. It was not his first run-in with the law.
When arrested, Hartsoe was free on a $20,000 bond after being arrested on May 27 for possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, and felony maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances.
At the time of his May 27 arrest, Hartsoe had 14 pending drug charges in Iredell County dating back to 2018:
♦ On June 5, 2018, he was charged with possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine.
♦ On July 29, 2018, Hartsoe was charged with possession with Intent to sell or deliver cocaine and felony maintaining a vehicle. He posted a $10,000 bond.
♦ On February 10, 2019, he was arrested for possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and felony maintaining a dwelling. He posted a $10,000 bond.
♦ On March 11, 2019, Hartsoe was arrested for possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine. He posted a $20,000 bond.
♦ On September 13, 2019, he was arrested for sale of cocaine and possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine. He posted a $25,000 bond.
♦ On November 4, 2019, Hartsoe was indicted for being an habitual felon.
Someone explain to me why this drug dealer and habitual felon was given a bond to start with. This system is broken. People need to wake up; if there are no consequences, there is no reason to stop. With this system, it’s no wonder why the drug problem is so bad. Very lucrative business with no risk.
This sends a very clear message to our youth that are making career choices during high school and post-HS. High rewards for illegal careers / activity with little risk. Let’s sell drugs instead of working a legit job. It makes me sick!
It is a waste of time for law enforcement to arrest these people when they are just getting released back out on the streets to go to work.