ROCKINGHAM — A man wanted on theft charges since late October is facing additional drug charges.
An arrest warrant issued Oct. 31 alleges that 36-year-old Joseph Stuart Spurlin, of Rockingham, stole a utility trailer and a Troybilt zero-turn mower on Sept. 28.
Spurlin was arrested Dec. 26 on two counts each of felony larceny and possession of stolen property.
On the day of his arrest, Sprulin was reportedly found with an unspecified quantity of cocaine, four dosage units of oxycodone, and half a dosage unit of Xanax, leading to charges of felony possession of cocaine, simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and simple possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance.
Spurlin was booked into the Richmond County Jail where he is being held on a combined $240,000 secured bond.
Court records show Spurlin waived his right to assigned counsel on Dec. 29. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 15.
Spurlin also has the following pending charges, according to court records: possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance; possession with intent to sel or deliver a Schedule IV controlled substance; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule III controlled substance; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; possession of a firearm by a felon; possession of a stolen firearm; possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Spurlin also has several pending traffic citations.
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Spurlin was first convicted in 2010 of misdemeanor larceny.
He was later convicted in 2013 of larceny of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm, and in 2017 of driving while impaired.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
