Two Marion residents arrested on multi-county drug charges

Two Marion residents caught a collection of felony charges across two counties last week.

After a traffic stop on Oct. 29, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jamie Lee Gray, 39, of Marion. The Morganton Department of Public Safety assisted in a search of the vehicle, bringing in a K-9 unit and locating approximately 164 grams of methamphetamine and over $2,000 in cash.

The discovery led to another search at Gray’s Marion residence, which the Marion Police Department carried out in conjunction with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office and Burke County Sheriff’s Office.

At the residence, officers located and arrested Ashley Danielle Sanders, 40, as well as locating 47 grams of fentanyl, seven grams of methamphetamine, 25 grams of marijuana, and over $15,000 in cash.

Burke County Sheriff Banks Hinceman said, “This is another great example of collaboration among our law enforcement partners to make our counties and communities safer for our citizens.”

Gray’s Burke charges include felony trafficking methamphetamine; felony maintaining a vehicle/dwelling place for controlled substances; and felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver methamphetamine. The Burke County charges earned Gray a secured bond at $250,000.

McDowell County charged Gray and Sanders each with felony trafficking opium or heroin; felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver methamphetamine; felony possession of methamphetamine; felony possession of a schedule I controlled substance; and felony maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances.

His first Burke court appearance was Oct. 30. Her first court appearance was on Oct. 31 and she received a secured $300,000 bond.

Attorney Victor Yamouti was appointed to represent Gray in Burke.

—JC