Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: On Thursday, April 16, 2020 the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigations Unit along with deputies assigned to the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (ACE) Team were conducting a surveillance operation on Highway 70 East in the area of Interstate 77.
During this operation, narcotics investigators observed Ernest William Holland. Holland is well known to the investigators from previous encounters and investigations where he did possess and sell illegal drugs.
Holland traveled to an area where undercover investigators had purchased controlled substance (Crack Cocaine) directly from him in the past.
Near the intersection of Highway 70 and Wilson Lee Boulevard, deputies of the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (ACE) Team attempted to conduct a vehicle stop for a traffic violation.
When the deputies activated their blue lights and siren, they witnessed Holland toss a pill bottle out of the vehicle and then speed away. Investigators recovered this bottle, which contained a significant amount of power Cocaine, and “Crack” Cocaine along with ecstasy pills.
Holland continued to drive away from the deputies attempting to stop him. He eventually stopped at the intersection of Durham Avenue off 7th Street. When he stopped, he was taken into custody.
A search of Holland and the vehicle located additional items. In all including the contents of the bottle, investigators recovered; 13.2 grams of “Crack” Cocaine, 9.8 grams of powder Cocaine, and 2.1 grams of Ecstasy Tablets, and 1,791.00 in US Currency which were packaged as proceeds from narcotics sales and distribution.
Ernest William Holland had been the target of an on-going investigation which as a result of his arrest, he was charged with: Five Counts of Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance (Crack Cocaine), Three Counts of Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for the Sale of Controlled Substance, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance (Cocaine), Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver MDMA (Ecstasy), Misdemeanor Fleeing to Elude Arrest, Misdemeanor Resist, Obstruct, and Delay a Law Enforcement Officer, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Holland was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center where he was served with his charges, and appeared before Magistrate D. Chambers who issued Holland a 150,000.00 dollars secured bond on these charges.
Ernest William Holland, 63 Years Old
120 Independence Loop
Statesville, North Carolina 28625
150,000.00 DOLLARS SECURED BOND.
Criminal history: Misdemeanor Larceny, Misdemeanor Breaking and Entering, DWI, Misdemeanor Resist, Obstruct or Delay a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance (Cocaine), and numerous driving related charges.