ROSEBORO — Three people, including a teenager, are facing cocaine trafficking charges following a routine stop late Friday night. Child abuse charges were also brought as a juvenile was riding in the vehicle.
Sheriff’s Special Investigations Division (SID) agents conducted the traffic stop on a 2004 Dodge Durango on Old Mintz Hwy (N.C. 411) near Claudes Drag Road, south of Roseboro, “for a traffic violation,” sheriff’s officials said.
“A canine alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and a search was conducted,” Lt. Marcus Smith said Monday. “During the search, over 1 ounce of cocaine was found inside the vehicle.”
According to reports, there was 31.4 grams of the drug (about 1.1. ounces) seized during the stop.
Earl Jeffery Melvin, 38, and Kimberly Melvin Lane, 44, both reportedly of 101 South St., Roseboro, (Melvin had an alternate address in sheriff’s records on Southwest Railroad Street, Roseboro) were each charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, trafficking cocaine by transport, trafficking cocaine by possession and maintaining a vehicle for the storage of a controlled substance.
They were also charged with a misdemeanor count of child abuse (non-assaultive). An 11-year-old child was in the vehicle at the time.
“Because a child was present, charges relating to child abuse were filed,” Smith noted.
Alexis Monticia Lane, 17, of 419 Fisher Drive, also received charges of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and trafficking cocaine by transport and possession.
All three were booked in the Sampson County Detention Center at 10:30 p.m. Friday. Bonds were set at $100,000 secured apiece.
According to the N.C. Department of Public Safety, Melvin was convicted in Sampson in September 2012 of selling and delivering a Schedule II controlled substance, stemming from a December 2011 offense. He was given a suspended sentenced and placed on probation, however his probationary status is currently inactive, court records show.
