ROCKINGHAM— A man is facing felony drug charges after allegedly selling heroin and meth during an undercover investigation — two years after his parole ended from his most recent conviction.
According to a press release issued July 13 from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the Community Impact Team had received complaints of drug activity in the area of Dockery Road.
Investigators reportedly determined that 34-year-old James Antwan Nicholson, of Rockingham, was a person of interest, suspected of selling illegal narcotics.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators were able to purchase heroin and meth from Nicholson.
He was arrested June 10 and charged with:
- Three counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule I controlled substance, selling a Schedule I controlled substance, and delivering a Schedule I controlled substance;
- Two counts each of conspiracy to sell methamphetamine, conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine, and maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; and
- One count each of conspiracy to sell heroin, conspiracy to deliver heroin, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver meth.
Online records with the Richmond County Jail show Nicholson is also charged with fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, driving with a revoked license and two registration violations. Online court records show additional traffic citations.
Nicholson has since been held on a combined $130,000 secured bond. His next court appearances are scheduled for Aug. 17 on the traffic violations and Sept. 15 on the drug charges.
Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction show Nicholson has a criminal history dating back to 2005, when he was convicted of possession with intent to sell a Schedule VI controlled substance and felony larceny.
He was initially given probation, which was revoked the following January, landing him behind bars for six months on concurrent sentences.
Fourteen months after his release, Nicholson was convicted on a misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charge.
In 2008, Nicholson was convicted of attempted larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm by a felon and assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer, resulting in a 30-month incarceration.
Nicholson was again convicted in 2012 of delivering or selling a Schedule II controlled substance. Two years later, he was convicted of possession with intent to sell a Schedule II controlled substance and maintaining a place for a controlled substance.
His probation on all three convictions was revoked in 2015 and he served 18 months in prison — but was back behind bars four months later on a post-release revocation, serving another six months.
Nicholson’s most recent conviction was in 2018 for possession of a firearm by a felon. He was released from prison after serving eight months and his parole ended June 7, 2020.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
