Morganton man found with meth, knives and sword after traffic stop, charged

MORGANTON ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — A man was charged after being found with nearly 100 grams of methamphetamine and weapons including more than 15 knives, according to the Morganton Department of Public Safety.

Just after midnight on Tuesday, a vehicle was pulled over by Sgt. A Paterno for displaying a fake registration number plate.

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The driver, 42-year-old Charles Howard Ray III, had a suspended license and a shotgun he didn’t tell officers about, officials said.

Authorties searched his vehicle and found 97.5 grams of methamphetamine, more than 15 knives, a large metal sword, several glass pipes, a large amount of plastic bags and two sets of scales.

As a result, Ray was arrested and charged with:

• Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine
• Trafficking methamphetamine
• Maintaining a vehicle for drugs
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• 2 counts of carrying a concealed weapon
• Driving while license revoked
• Displaying a fictitious tag
• Failure to register a vehicle with the state of NC
• No insurance

Ray was previously charged in Burke County with possession of meth, assault by pointing a gun and obtaining property by false pretense.

Officials say Ray was given 48-hour hold due to being out on pretrial release.

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