FROM STAFF REPORTS

A western Iredell County man faces a felony drug charge after being stopped by an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputy for operating a scooter without a license plate.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Rexie Franklin Pychon, 59, of Twitty Lane, Statesville, in a news release.

Lt. C. Stone of the ICSO Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team stopped Pychon, who was operating a Yamaha scooter on Island Ford Road near Watermelon Road, on October 2.

During the traffic stop, Lt. Stone asked Pychon to get off of the scooter and inquired if he had any weapons, Campbell said. Pychon immediately placed his right hand into his pants pocket and turned away, according to the news release.

When Lt. Stone prevented Pychon from retrieving anything from his pocket and asked what he was attempting to reach, the suspect admitted to possessing a methamphetamine pipe, Campbell said.

During an ensuing search search, Lt. Stone found a bag of crystal methamphetamine, a glass pipe, and a syringe in Pychon’s pocket, according to the news release.

Pychon was arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was issued a $3,500 secured bond.