ROCKINGHAM — A man and woman are facing trafficking charges after investigators reportedly found drugs in a motel room.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, a search warrant was executed in a room at the the Budgetel Motel in Rockingham on July 31 after “numerous” complaints were filed regarding possible drug activity at that room.
The warrant was obtained after investigators conducted surveillance of the room and the suspects: 33-year-old William Blake Callahan and 33-year-old Meredith Michela Chappell, both of Rockingham, according to the sheriff’s office.
The search was reportedly conducted by deputies and investigators with the RCSO Community Impact Team and the Rockingham Police Department’s Vice/Narcotics Unit, after Callahan and Chappell left the room.
Inside, investigators reportedly found and seized:
222.6 grams of fentanyl
34.6 grams of methamphetamine
12 dosage units of Buprenorphine
3 dosage units of Suboxone
9 dosage units of Oxycontin
Callahan and Chappell were reportedly taken into custody when they returned to the room. Investigators reportedly found 28.9 grams of methamphetamine and nine dosage units of Oxycontin inside the vehicle the pair were driving.
Callahan is charged with: trafficking in opium or heroin; trafficking in methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule III controlled substance; and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Chappell is charged with: trafficking in opium or heroin; trafficking in methamphetamine; two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule III controlled substance; two counts of maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
The press release issued Aug. 2 states that the two were booked into the Richmond County jail without bond. However, jail records show Callahan is being held on a $300,000 secured bond and Chappell was given a $1 million secured bond.
Callahan and Chapell were arrested on drug charges in June when drugs were reportedly found during a traffic stop. Click here to read that story.
Online court records show both are currently facing multiple pending charges.
Callahan’s pending charges (combined in both district and superior court) include:
2024 – two counts each of trafficking in opium or heroin and methamphetamine (by possession and transport); two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine; possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine; possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule IV controlled substance; and carrying a concealed gun; and several traffic infractions.
2023: three counts of possession with intent to sell a Schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine; two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine; possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule III controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule IV controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule III controlled substance; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; breaking and entering; communicating threats; assault on a female; misdemeanor probation violation (two counts)
Chappell’s pending charges include:
2024 – maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance
2023 – possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine; possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine; two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule III controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia; and several traffic citations.
Callahan was given a 24-month suspended sentence in May when he was convicted of assault on a female, according to records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction.
Records show Callahan was first convicted in Scotland County of carrying a concealed weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia in 2021.
Chappell was convicted in 2014 of misdemeanor larceny, records show.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
