FROM STAFF REPORTS

An eastern Iredell County resident faces multiple drug charges after Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies found a variety of drugs in his vehicle during a traffic stop.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest if Joshua Kenneth Wooten, 29, of White Oak Branch Road, Statesville, in a news release Tuesday.

Deputy C. Wilson, who is assigned to the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team, was following up on information received from community members in the Harmony area on May 31 when he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Harmony Highway near Mt. Bethel Road south of Harmony for a traffic violation, according to the news release.

While speaking with the driver, identified as Joshua Wooten, the deputy became suspicious of Wooten based on information the suspect provided, Campbell said. Deputy C. Moncus was called to the scene with canine Bosco to assist with the traffic stop.

Bosco gave a positive indication that there was a presence of narcotics in the vehicle, according to the news release. The deputies then performed a search of the vehicle and located 22.15 grams of methamphetamine, 4.47 grams of fentanyl, 4.67 grams of cocaine, multiple prescription pills, drug paraphernalia, and three concealed handguns, the sheriff said.

Wooten was arrested on the scene and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was charged with Felony Trafficking in Fentanyl by possession, Felony Trafficking in Fentanyl by Transport, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Methamphetamine, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony Possession of Cocaine, Felony Maintain a vehicle for the Sale or Use of a Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Carry Concealed Gun, Misdemeanor Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Magistrate Callejas issued Wooten a $750,000 secured bond on these charges.

“This is a perfect example of how the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office will follow up on tips from concerned community members,” Campbell said. “The tips of criminal activity can be easily submitted on the Iredell Sheriff app.”