Date/Time of Offense: Sunday, August 15, 2021.

Offense(s)/Charge(s): Felony Trafficking Marijuana by Possession

                                      Felony Trafficking Marijuana by Transport

                                      Felony Possession of Marijuana

                                      Felony Maintain a Dwelling, Vehicle or Place for the Sale or Use of a

                                       Controlled Substance

                                       Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia

Location of Incident: Interstate Westbound at the 142 Mile Marker

Suspect(s): Marshall Earlie Hackett III, 51 Years Old

                    General Delivery

                    Charlotte, North Carolina 28214

Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: On Sunday, August 15, 2021, Deputy P. Dragowski of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office (ACE) Team was traveling on Interstate 40 Westbound when he saw a white in color SUV which had wrecked into the highway safety median cables. 

 Deputy Dragowski stopped to check on the vehicle and met the driver, Marshall Earlie Hackett III, to make ensure he was not injured. Deputy Dragowski enquired about where Hackett had been and where he was going in addition to asking if he had been drinking. There were several inconsistencies in the answers to the questions. Troopers with the North Carolina Highway Patrol arrived on scene and investigated the accident. 

 A short time later Deputy B. Best and Canine Deputy H. Pennell of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office ACE Team arrived on scene. Deputy Pennell deployed Canine “Brandi” outside Hackett’s vehicle. Brandi getting a positive alert. The deputies searched the vehicle locating 46.6 pounds of marijuana in individual vacuum sealed packages, hidden in two suitcases, and a duffle bag, multiple items of drug paraphernalia commonly used in the sale of marijuana, along with 4820.00 dollars in cash. 

 Marshall Earlie Hackett III was arrested on scene and taken to the Iredell County Detention Center where he was charged with: Felony Trafficking Marijuana by Possession, Felony Trafficking Marijuana by Transport, Felony Possession of Marijuana, Felony Maintain a Dwelling, Vehicle or Place for the Sale or Use of a Controlled Substance, and Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana Drug Paraphernalia.

 Hackett appeared before Magistrate J. Hollar who issued a 200,000.00 dollar secured bond on these charges.