2 Nabbed On Drug Charges After Tip They Were Searching Mailboxes

STATESVILLE, NC — A community tip that two men were opening and searching mailboxes led to their arrest on drug charges, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities received the tip around 10:30 a.m. March 31 that the two suspects, who have been identified as Richard Lee McDonald III, 31 and Avery La’Bronze Stokes, 19, were rummaging through mailboxes on Shumaker Road at Nixon Road in Statesville.

A deputy found the men on Shumaker Drive. “While questioning the subjects about the mail boxes, the subjects, Richard McDonald, and Avery Stokes became nervous and started acting as if they were hiding something,” ICSO said in a statement about the incident.

When they were searched for weapons, they both were found to be in possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, ICSO said.

They were arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center. McDonald was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor possession of marijuana paraphernalia. His secured bond was set at $10,000.

Stokes was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. His secured bond was set at $1,500.