A routine search for a wanted person at a Newton Grove residenced turned up drugs, instead, and placed three people in handcuffs, facing felony charges.
According to reports, released Tuesday by the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies went to the home, located at 3974 Alex Benton Road, Newton Grove, Friday, Aug. 17, around 1:45 p.m. to see if a wanted person was at the location.
When the deputies were given consent to search for that person, reports show, they noticed methamphetamines and a precursor to methamphetamines lying on a table in clear view of the officers.
Amanda Whaley, 25, of the home, was charged with two counts of possessing chemical precursor to methamphetamine; possession of methamphetamine; and possession of drug paraphernalia. Whaley was given a $15,000 bond and a trial date of Sept. 24.
Whaley also had .04 grams of methamphetamine in her possession at the time of her arrest.
Also arrested in the incident were: Kimberly Garason, 40, also of the home, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possessing drug paraphernalia; and Mitchell Pearsall, 49, of 662 Waller Road, Mt. Olive, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Garason and Pearsall, who each had .01 grams of methamphetamine in their possession at the time of their arrests, were each given a $10,000 secured bond. Garason’s first trial date is Sept. 24; Pearsall’s trial date will be Aug. 31.
According to the N.C. Department of Corrections, Whaley has two previous misdemeanor convictions dating back December 2011. Those convictions are for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and making a harassing phone call.
Randall has one previous conviction (a misdemeanor larceny charge) dating back to December 2007.
Garason does not have any previous convictions.
To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or email to sisports@heartlandpublications.com.





















