ROCKINGHAM — A man is facing nearly two dozen drug charges following an investigation into alleged complaints of the sale of narcotics at Pickett Street home.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, investigators have made controlled purchases from 40-year-old Joseph Wayne Parrish at multiple locations around the county.
Parrish was reportedly taken into custody at a local motel Saturday, Dec. 3 while investigators with the Community Impact Team executed a search warrant at the Pickett Street address.
While searching the home, investigators reportedly found and seized 42 grams of methamphetamine along with unspecified quantities opium, fentanyl, Alprazolam (anti-anxiety medication), Cyclobenzaprine (muscle relaxer), as well as marijuana and “assorted drug paraphernalia.”
Parrish was arrested and charged with:
- Trafficking in methamphetamine
- Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine (four counts)
- Selling methamphetamine (two counts)
- Delivering methamphetamine (two counts)
- Maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance (three counts)
- Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance
- Felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance
- Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule IV controlled substance
- Simple possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Possession of marijuana paraphernalia
Parrish was booked into the Richmond County Jail where he is being held on a combined $300,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 15.
Online court records show Parrish had a Dec. 5 court appearance on the following charges from earlier in the year: possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Parrish also has a court date in January for a traffic citation of driving with a revoked license.
Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction appear to show Parrish has no prior convictions in the state.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
