Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: On Friday December 14, 2018 Deputy A. Foster with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a tan Dodge Neon for traffic violations on Salisbury Highway near North Barkley Road. 

 While speaking with the occupants in the car, the deputy detected a very strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The driver, Brandy Diane Benge, said she had come from Harmony and was going to Sheetz to get gas, and hang out with her passenger a Joshua Anson Orner. 

 The Deputy Foster requested assistance for a search based on the odor of marijuana. While Deputy Foster was conducting a warrants check on the tow subjects, he noticed Orner was behaving suspiciously and acting very nervous.  After speaking with Orner about his behavior, a pat down search was conducted. Drug Paraphernalia was located on Orner. 

When asked to step out of the vehicle Brandy Benge was hesitant to step out, eventually she did.  While receiving information from the records search, Deputy Foster, noticed Benge attempted to destroy approximately 14 grams of Methamphetamine she had hidden on her person.

Sgt. M. Bumgarner and Deputy C. James arrived to assist with the Investigation. A search of the vehicle uncovered marijuana, along with multiple paraphernalia items in the vehicle. A search of Benge, additionally found her to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Both suspects were taken to the Iredell County Detention Center where they were charged with the following crimes:

Brandy Diane Benge: Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine; Felony Possession of Methamphetamine; Felony Maintaining a Vehicle to Sell, or Deliver Methamphetamine; Felony Destruction of Evidence; Possession of Marijuana; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Possession of Marijuana Drug Paraphernalia; Fictitious Registration Plate, and a Traffic Violation. Magistrate S. Nicholson set a secured bond of $5000.00.

Brandy Diane Benge, 26 Years Old

 315 Lindsey Farm Road

 Stony Point, North Carolina

Joshua Anson Orner: Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Magistrate S. Nicholson set a secured bond of 1000.00.

Joshua Anson Orner, 28 Years Old

231 Skyview Lake Road

Harmony, North Carolina