Iredell Man Busted For Drugs, Impersonating An Officer

MOORESVILLE, NC — An Iredell County man was arrested and charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer this week after deputies spotted him driving a vehicle with mounted blue lights and stickers that made it look like an official vehicle.

According to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy spotted the white Chevrolet sedan with heavily tinted windows Tuesday evening, around 6:30 p.m. while on patrol on Crawford Road at Victory Lane in Statesville. Inside the car were mounted blue lights, which were operational, as well as “HP 511” and “K-9” stickers on the car.

Deputies also found a concealed firearm in the vehicle, and the driver — identified as Matthew Lee Sells, 24 — had a controlled substance on him when he was taken into custody, ICSO said.

“It is extremely concerning to us in law enforcement to see how much effort this man put into making his vehicle appear to be a law enforcement vehicle,” Sheriff Darren Campbell said.

Sells was charged with two counts of felony possession with intent to sell and deliver controlled substance; felony maintaining a dwelling, vehicle or place to sell controlled
substance; misdemeanor possession of blue light; misdemeanor impersonate law enforcement officer by insignia; misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia; misdemeanor possession of a concealed firearm; felony possession of controlled substance in jail or prison; and window tint violation.

Sells’ vehicle was impounded, ICSO said. His secured bond was set at $16,000.