Sheriff: Suspect faces drug trafficking charges after telling deputy he had narcotics in his home

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

FROM STAFF REPORTS

A 55-year-old man faces drug trafficking charges following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office that began at the scene of a motor vehicle accident.

Ronnie Benfield

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Ronnie Lynn Benfield in a news release Wednesday.

On Sunday, February 5, Deputy Zalepka responded to the scene of a hit-and-run crash to assist the Mooresville Police Department, Campbell said.

At the scene of the accident, Benfield spoke with Deputy Zalepka about narcotics and stated that he had some at his residence at 152 Mount Mourne Loop, according to the news release.

Deputies went to 152 Mount Mourne Loop, where Zalepka located several chunks of a white substance covered in water in the kitchen sink, Campbell said. Tests revealed the substance to be Fentanyl, and 128 ounces of Liquid Fentanyl was collected from the sink, according to the news release.

Deputy Zalepka also located a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun in the residence, Campbell said.

The deputy obtained arrest warrants charging Benfield with Felony Trafficking in Heroin (Fentanyl), Felony Maintaining a Dwelling for the Sale or Use of a Controlled Substance, and Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Benfield was arrested and taken to the Iredell County Detention Center. Magistrate R. Imes issued a $1 million secured bond on these charges.

According to the ICSO, Benfield’s criminal history includes the following charges: Three Counts of Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana, Six Counts of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Two Counts of Misdemeanor Assault on a Female, Three Counts of Misdemeanor Larceny, Four Counts of Misdemeanor Unauthorized use of a Vehicle, Four Counts of Misdemeanor Common Law Forgery, Misdemeanor Breaking and Entering, Misdemeanor Injury to Personal Property, Misdemeanor Communicating Threats, Felony Uttering Forged Instrument, Felony Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance, and Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance.