Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Arrest, Seizure Of Cash and Firearms

Lincolnton, NC – On October 19th Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies were stationary at the intersection of Highway 27 West and Cat Square Road when they observed a vehicle that the plate showed an inactive driver’s license.

Deputies stopped the vehicle and when they approached they noticed the passenger seat had a plastic bag containing an unknown amount of alprazolam between the passengers feet.

Deputies ordered the passenger, Steven Daniel Harrison, 29, out of the vehicle and a search of his person turned up a glass methamphetamine pipe.

Deputies discovered the driver, Nicole Danielle Hester, 26, was driving on a revoked license and placed her in custody.

A search of the vehicle turned up a black bag containing a digital scale and a metal container with methamphetamine and several bundles of U.S. currency totaling $5,265.00.

Deputies also observed a box of nine millimeter ammunition on the driver’s side floor board.

Officers checked the area around the vehicle and discovered two handguns that had been thrown from the vehicle.

The firearms were identified as a Smith and Wesson SW380 and a High Point C9. The Smith and Wesson firearm had been reported stolen out of Lenoir.

Harrison was charged with two felony counts of possession of a firearm by a felon and one felony count each of possession of a stolen firearm, possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling/vehicle for a controlled substance.

He was also charged with one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession of Schedule IV controlled substance. While being processed into jail, detention officers recovered a clear plastic bag of methamphetamine.