ROCKINGHAM — Two men are facing drug-related charges following a traffic stop.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the Community Impact Team conducted a traffic stop on a silver Chevrolet Malibu after one of the investigators recognized 25-year-old Nashton Ryan Kranz of Rockingham and “knew from prior encounters” that Kranz’s license was revoked.
The press release, posted to the RCSO Facebook page July 13, does not list the date or street for the stop.
Investigators reportedly saw “clear plastic baggies consistent with drug packaging” as they approached the vehicle.
Kranz reportedly gave investigators consent to search the vehicle, where they found 34 Xanax bars, an unspecified quantity of marijuana, assorted paraphernalia and $440 in cash.
Kranz and the passenger, 24-year-old Gavin James Lynch of Bennettsville, South Carolina, were both arrested and each charged with: possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule IV controlled substance; possession of marijuana paraphernalia; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kranz was also charged with maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance and driving with a revoked license.
Both were booked into the Richmond County Jail — Kranz on a $25,000 secured bond, Lynch on a $10,000 secured bond. Neither appeared in online jail records on July 13. Both are scheduled to appear in court July 14.
Online court records show Kranz has an Aug. 8 appearance in Richmond County Superior Court on felony charges of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule IV controlled substance and a probation violation, as well as misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed gun.
Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction show Kranz is currently serving an 18-month suspended sentence following an April 12 conviction on two counts of possession with intent to sell a Schedule I controlled substance.
South Carolina court records show Kranz was found guilty in a Marlboro County traffic court bench trial June 9 of driving under the influence, driving without a license, an uninsured motor vehicle fee violation, and operating or permitting operation of vehicle which is not registered and licensed.
Kranz was previously found guilty of possession of an ounce or less of marijuana in North Myrtle Beach Municipal Court in 2021. (Listed as Nash Ryan Kranz.)
Marlboro County records show Lynch has requested a jury trial in traffic court on charges of driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, failure to return driver’s license after a notice of suspension, failure to possess a registration card, failure to maintain proof of insurance in a motor vehicle, and a seat belt violation.
Records also show that prosecutors dropped a second-degree domestic violence charge against Lynch on May 22.
Lynch was previously found guilty in a 2019 bench trial in Horry County Central Traffic Court on a signal violation.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
