Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: A month and a half long investigation into the distribution and sale of marijuana in Mooresville and Southern Iredell County was completed on Monday August 22, 2016 when members of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigation Unit executed a search warrant at 339 East Mills Avenue in Mooresville.
One suspect, James Manley, was arrested at the home and a second suspect, Michael Stoddard, was arrested a short time later in the area of 339 East Mills Avenue.
This investigation started when narcotic investigators received information about large amounts of marijuana being delivered to a residence on East Mills Avenue. A surveillance operation was established and soon investigators were able to identify the residence. Several times a month packages were delivered to the residence. Based on this activity and other information, the investigators were able to interdict two packages destined for the home. After receiving a search warrant for the packages, investigators located approximately ten pounds of marijuana in the boxes and seized it.
A search warrant was issued for the 339 East Mills Avenue. When packages were delivered to it on Monday by undercover investigators, a white male exited the home and accepted two packages, then took them into the residence. A short time later the warrant was executed and an additional six pounds of marijuana and numerous items of drug paraphernalia were located in the residence.
While searching the home, narcotics investigators noticed several high pressure acetylene tanks, propane tanks and machines used to make oxygen in and under the residence as well as unsafe wiring run under and through the home. The Mooresville Fire Department was called to the scene and the residence was deemed unsafe for habitation and the power meter was pulled to stop the threat of explosion. Access to the home was denied to any further person until the unsafe conditions could be fixed and meet safety codes again.
As a result of this investigation, 16.6 pounds of high grade marijuana with a street value of approximately 60,000.00 dollars, over 2,000.00 dollars in cash and a 12 gauge shotgun were seized.
The suspects were charged with the following charges: Michael Duane Stoddard of 303 Doster Avenue in Mooresville was charged with, One Felony Count of Trafficking Marijuana, One Felony Count of Conspiring to Traffic Marijuana and One Felony Count of Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana. He was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center and placed under 50,000.00 dollars secured bond. Stoddard is currently on Probation and has a criminal history including: Felony Sell and Deliver Schedule IV, Felony Possession of Schedule II, Three Felony Counts of Deliver Marijuana, Driving while Impaired, and Assault.
James Lawrence Manley of 339 East Mills Avenue in Mooresville was charged with One Felony Count of Conspiring to Traffic Marijuana and was placed under 25,000.00 dollars secured bond.