FROM STAFF REPORTS

A Statesville man faces multiple drug charges after Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies found methamphetamine and cocaine in his vehicle during a traffic stop.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of John Alexander Key, 35, in a news release Monday.

On Tuesday, August 17, Deputy C.S. Little, who is assigned to ICSO Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at the intersection of Industrial Drive and Salisbury Highway because the vehicle’s registration was revoked for having no insurance, according to the news release.

Deputy Little spoke with Key, who was operating the vehicle, and advised him of the violation.

The deputy then asked Key to walk back to his patrol car while he ran his information. After speaking further with Key and asking about any illegal substances, Deputy Little searched him and found a syringe, alprazolam, buprenorphine hydrochloride, crystal methamphetamine, and cocaine, the sheriff said.

Sergeant W.E. Line arrived to assist Deputy Little with the search of Key and his vehicle. During the search of the vehicle, they found cocaine and a glass smoking pipe, according to the news release.

Key was arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was charged with: felony possession of crystal methamphetamine, felony possession of cocaine, felony maintain a vehicle for the use or sale of a controlled substance, three misdemeanor drug offenses, and two motor vehicle infractions.

Key appeared before Magistrate Imes, who issued a $20,000 secured bond on those charges.

According to the ICSO, the suspect’s criminal history includes the following charges: felony possession of a schedule I controlled substance, felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, felony possession of heroin, and felony possession of cocaine.