STAFF REPORT
A Rutherford County man could face federal prosecution for selling methamphetamine in Lincoln County following a month long investigation into a drug trafficking organization.
An undercover officer with the Narcotics division of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office infiltrated an organization where John Davis Humphries, 44, of 970 Bethany Church Road in Forest City was allegedly distributing methamphetamine.
On Nov. 10, Humphries delivered a two ounce package, containing a total of 55 grams of meth to the undercover officer in the parking lot of an undisclosed Lincolnton business. Following the transaction, narcotics investigators and agents with Homeland Security surrounded Humphries ’vehicle and he was taken into custody without incident. According to a press release issued from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Humphries could face federal prosecution because of the amount of methamphetamine seized. In addition to the meth, investigators seized a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe.
Investigators charged a female passenger, Gloria Jean Hunt, 27, of 310 Hollis Road in Ellenboro with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hunt was released from custody on an unsecured bond.
Humphries was charged with four felony counts of trafficking methamphetamine, one felony count of maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was placed in the Lincoln County Detention center and a $75,000 secured bond was set.
The investigation is ongoing with several agencies, including the Department of Revenue, an additional Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security, with the goal being pursuit of federal convictions.
“Since Sheriff David Carpenter took office in 2010 he pushed narcotics investigators to form a positive, proactive working relationship with as many local, state and federal agencies as possible to not only attempt to control the amount of controlled substances in Lincoln County but also being transported to and through Lincoln County,” said Lt. Jason Reid with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators.
According to Reid, the amount of meth seized could have a street value of $3,000 – $6,000, depending on how it is packaged.