Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: On Wednesday, November 27 2019, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Sergeant J. Watson observed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of McDonald's located at 3205 Taylorsville Road, Statesville.

Sgt. Watson ran license plate on the vehicle. It was verified, the vehicle was reported stolen out of Maiden, North Carolina. Other deputies arrived to assist, and detained the five occupants in the vehicle.

During the investigation of the stolen vehicle, and subsequent search of the car 101.1 grams of methamphetamine along with two sets of digital scales were found in the driver’s area of the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle, Michael Alvin Punch, was arrested on the scene for: Felony Trafficking of Methamphetamine, Felony Possession with Intent to Sale or Deliver Methamphetamine, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Felony Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle.

Michael Punch was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center. Punch appeared before Magistrate T. Thompson who issued a 250,000.00 dollars secured bond on these charges.

Michael Alvin Punch, 37 Years Old

252 Sedeywood Lane

Cherryville, North Carolina

250,000.00 DOLLARS SECURED BOND.

Criminal history: Misdemeanor Breaking or Entering, Misdemeanor Shoplifting by Concealment, Two Counts of Felony Forgery of Instrument, Felony Breaking and Entering, 25 Counts of Felony Breaking into a Motor Vehicle, Felony Larceny, Felony Identity Theft, Misdemeanor Possession of Stolen Goods, Misdemeanor Assault on a Female, Misdemeanor Assault and Battery, Felony Habitual Breaking and Entering, Misdemeanor Criminal Contempt, Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer, Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Felony Possession of Methamphetamine.

 VERIFIED AS A FOLK NATION GANG MEMBER by the North Carolina Department of Corrections.