SPD: Three suspects face felony charges after traffic stop leads to seizure of drugs, cash and guns

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman
Evidence seized by the SPD.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Statesville Police Department officers arrested three men and seized marijuana, prescription narcotics, cash and two handguns during a traffic stop on Saturday, February 10.

Kesean Saddler
Cortney Phifer Jr.
Jalin Elliott

Members of the Criminal Response Team conducted a traffic stop on a 2023 GMC Acadia after the driver attempted to evade officers, according to an SPD news release. 

After approaching the vehicle, officers detected “an overwhelming odor of marijuana emanating from inside” the SUV and conducted a search of the rental vehicle, police said.

During the search, officers located and seized 846.5 grams of marijuana, six oxycodone pills, $2,763 in cash, and two handguns, according to the news release.

The driver, identified as Jalin Elliott, 20, of Winston-Salem, along with passengers Cortney Phifer Jr., 22, also of Winston-Salem, and Kesean Saddler, 24, of Harmony were arrested.

Elliott was charged with Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Marijuana, Felony Possession of Marijuana, Felony Maintaining a Vehicle, and Conspiracy to Sell/Deliver Marijuana. He was issued a $3,000 secured bond by a magistrate.

Saddler was charged with Conspiracy to Sell/Deliver Marijuana and was issued a $1,500 secured bond.

Phifer was charged with Conspiracy to Sell/Deliver Marijuana. Due to existing bond obligations stemming from unrelated charges, he was jailed without bond.