ROCKINGHAM — Although the number of meth lab busts has diminished in recent years, the manufactured drug is still making its way into Richmond County, as highlighted by recent arrests.
Richmond County Jail records show second man was charged this week with possession of meth, along with having a stolen vehicle.
Terry Alexander Scott, 29, was booked into jail Friday morning, charged with three felonies: possession of methamphetamine; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
He is currently being held under a $10,000 secured bond and no court date has yet been listed.
Scott has a history of drug convictions, according to records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction.
In 2007, he was convicted of misdemeanor larceny and felony possession with intent to sell a Schedule VI controlled substance. His initial probation was the revoked the following year and Scott spent a month behind bars.
Records show Scott was next convicted in 2009 for possession of a controlled substance (no schedule listed), possession of drug paraphernalia and larceny, all misdemeanors.
Scott was convicted of possession with intent to sell a Schedule IV controlled substance in 2011.
His most recent convictions were in 2014 for resisting a public officer in Richmond County and driving while impaired in Moore County.
Scott is one of four inmates in the Richmond County jail on meth charges.
- Kristopher Shane Carpenter was booked Monday, charged with possession of meth, heroin, marijuana and a Schedule III controlled substance, as well as maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance and possession of up to a half-ounce of marijuana.
- Donald Eugene Lampley was booked March 16, charged with possession of meth, simple possession of a Schedule III controlled substance and a probation violation.
- Jonathan Keith owens was booked in January on charges of possessing, selling and delivering meth, as well as: second-degree trespassing; assault on a female; assault by pointing a gun; communicating threats; two counts of selling and/or delivering a Schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; and child support.
- All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Records with the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation show in 2017, the latest figures available, Richmond County tied with three other counties — Anson, Davidson and Cabarrus — for the eighth-highest number of clandestine meth lab busts in the state, each with six. Onslow County had the most with 21.
More than 65 individuals have been indicted on federal charges for their role in making meth in Richmond County since 2014.
