Alleged drug trafficker arrested with meth, $1.6k+ cash in Caldwell County: Sheriff’s Office

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — An alleged drug trafficker and two others have been arrested after crashing a vehicle and trying to run on foot, the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office says.

Investigators say they discovered that 28-year-old Zachery Stephenson was distributing methamphetamine in Lenoir and Caldwell County.

On Tuesday, July 16, Stephenson was spotted driving a 2024 Chevrolet on Warren Place in Lenoir with a suspended driver’s license. Officers stopped the vehicle, but Stephenson drove off when they were walking up.

Shortly after, Stephenson crashed into a small utility trailer on Warren Place, and he and his two passengers tried to run on foot, according to authorities.

All three were quickly arrested. In the vehicle, officers say they found 411.2 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and $1,626 in currency. It is believed that the drugs were worth $61,650 in street value.

Stephenson is being held on a $750,000 secured bond and is charged with the following:

• Felony Trafficking in Methamphetamine by Possession
• Felony Trafficking in Methamphetamine by Transportation
• Felony PWIMSD Methamphetamine
• Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for the sale of Controlled Substance
• Misdemeanor Possessing Drug Paraphernalia
• Misdemeanor Resisting Public Officer
• Misdemeanor Hit and Run – Leaving the Scene of an Accident
• Misdemeanor Failure to Report Accident
• Misdemeanor DWLR – Not Impaired Revocation
• Misdemeanor Reckless Driving to Endanger

One of the passengers, 40-year-old Devin Johnson is charged with two counts of Felony Probation Violation and Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer. He is being held on a $4,500 secured bond.

The other passenger, 35-year-old Victoria Hennessee is charged with Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer.

Anyone with information on this or any other criminal matter is asked to call Lenoir Police at 828-757-2100 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 828-758-8300.

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