Investigation leads to 3 Felonies

On Sunday, November 26, 2023, Morganton Department of Public Safety officers responded to an intoxicated subject call at 655 W Fleming Dr. in Morganton.  Burke County Emergency Communication Center advised officers a white male had driven to the store and was currently hanging around the store for over 30 minutes.  The caller described the male as intoxicated and did not need to be driving. 

Officers arrived on scene and located the subject sitting in his car at one of the gas pumps. The car was not running.  Officers checked on the male to ensure he was not intoxicated and was safe to drive.  Upon further investigation, the male was found to be intoxicated and in possession of 2 unmarked pill bottles with a total of 102 Hydrocodone pills.  The male suspect was taken into custody and identified as Benjamin Howard Anthony, 50, of Morganton. 

Anthony was arrested and charged with Felony Possession of Schedule 2 Controlled Substance, Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for use of a Controlled Substance, and Felony Trafficking of Opioids.  Anthony has a court date of Monday, November 27, 2023 at 9am and is being held under a 48 hour hold at the Burke County Jail.  Anthony has a charge of Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Possession of Schedule 2 Controlled Substance and 2 prior charges of DWI.