FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two individuals, including a verified gang member, face felony charges after they attempted to avoid an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office license checkpoint.

ICSO deputies conducted a traffic stop on Amity Hill Road on Friday, July 15, after the driver of the vehicle made an illegal U-turn and attempted to avoid a license checking station, Sheriff Darren Campbell said in a news release.

After stopping the vehicle for the traffic violation, deputies spoke with the driver, Teona Bruner, and a passenger, Charod Terry.

While speaking with the vehicle’s occupants, Deputy N. Hodges noticed that Terry was acting suspiciously and placed his hands several times between his seat and the passenger door, according to the news release.

When asked to open the door and step out of the vehicle, Terry opened the passenger door of the vehicle. As he was stepping out, the deputies saw a handgun where Terry had been seated, along with two plastic baggies, according to the news release.

Terry was detained by the deputies. A criminal records check revealed that he is a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing a firearm, Campbell said.

Due to the concealed weapon and suspected narcotics, the deputies conducted a search of the vehicle and seized two plastic bags containing 14 grams of crack cocaine, according to the news release.

Both suspects were arrested without incident and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center.

Bruner, 28 of 1236 Ascending Lane, Statesville, was charged with felony possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, felony maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for use or sale of a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of a concealed weapon and a misdemeanor drug charge. Magistrate Nicholson issued a $15,000 secured bond on these charges.

Terry, 33, of Lark Glen Drive, Mooresville, was charged with felony possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, misdemeanor possession of a concealed weapon, and misdemeanor drug offense.

Terry also had outstanding arrest warrants for felony possession with intent to manufacture a Schedule II controlled substance, felony sell or deliver a schedule II controlled substance, misdemeanor breaking or entering, misdemeanor injury to personal property, DWI, misdemeanor child abuse, and a warrant for failure to pay child support. Magistrate Nicholson issued a $46,000. secured bond on the criminal charges and a $1,500 cash bond for the outstanding child support warrant.

Terry is a validated Blood gang member by the N.C. Department of Adult Corrections.