ROCKINGHAM — A man on probation from an October assault conviction is now facing drug charges.
According to a press release from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the Community Impact Team conducted a traffic stop Sunday, Dec. 17 on Clemmer Road for reportedly having a fictitious registration plate.
The driver, 26-year-old John Chazz Murray, of Rockingham, reportedly got out of the vehicle and stood next to it.
One of the investigators reportedly noticed a box and several baggies in the passenger seat “with what appeared to be residue of illegal narcotics.”
During a search of the vehicle, investigators reportedly found: 119 Xanax and oxycodone pills; 2.9 grams of fentanyl; and a 9mm handgun next to the driver’s seat. When Murray was taken into custody and searched, investigators reportedly found $1,189 in cash.
Murray was arrested and charged with: two counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule IV controlled substance; possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance; maintaining a place for a controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule III controlled substance; possession of a firearm by a felon; possession of drug paraphernalia; and a felony probation violation.
He is being held in the Richmond County Jail on a $500,000 secured bond on the drug charges and a $10,000 secured bond for the probation violation. He is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 4.
Court records show Murray has several pending traffic citations.
According to records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction, Murray was given 36 months of probation Oct. 24 when he was convicted of assault inflicting serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon with a minor present, and assault by pointing a gun.
His parole ended on Aug. 5 after serving 10 months behind bars for having a controlled substance at a penal institution and his probation was revoked on 2021 convictions of larceny from the person and selling a Schedule IV controlled substance.
Records show Murray was first convicted in 2015 of selling a schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana); and later in 2018 of assault on a female. He was given probation in both cases.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
