Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Charges for Two

On Saturday, March 2, 2023, Officers with Morganton Department of Public Safety conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for expired registration plate and for the registered owner’s license being suspended.  As a K9 unit arrived to assist in a narcotics investigation, the driver stated she had crack cocaine in her vehicle.  A search of the vehicle and occupants yielded substances that tested positive for crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Along with these items, drug paraphernalia and 2 firearms were also seized from the vehicle.

The driver, Angela Powell Carpenter, 51, of Morganton, was charged with the following offenses:

• Possession of Cocaine
• Possession of Methamphetamine
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Driving while License Revoked
• Expired Registration

Carpenter was discovered to have 11 pending charges, including multiple driving while license revoked charges, a charge of possession of a scheduled 2 controlled substance, a charge of possession of cocaine and a charge of drug paraphernalia.  Due to these pending charges, Carpenter was held under no bond.  A first appearance in court is scheduled for March 4, 2024.

The passenger, Clyde Oliver Crawford, 65, of Morganton, was charged with the following:

• Possession of Cocaine
• Possession with Intent to manufacture sell or deliver Marijuana
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Carrying a Concealed Firearm (2 Counts)

Crawford did not have any current charges in North Carolina and received a $35,000.00 secured bond.  A first appearance in court is scheduled for March 4, 2024.