Man, Woman Found Sleeping In Car Now Face Meth Charges: Sheriff

IREDELL COUNTY, NC — Two suspects found sleeping in a car alongside a road in Statesville now face a list of drug-related felony charges, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities were dispatched to the area where the car was parked in the 1000 block of Midway Road in Statesville after receiving a 911 hangup call March 4, ICSO said. When the responding deputy arrived at the home that placed the call, he spotted a Pontiac parked on the side of the road and a man and woman asleep in the front seat.

After waking up the pair, the deputy learned that the man in the driver’s seat — who was identified as Tony Mark Stout, 41, of Hiddenite, NC — was wanted on an outstanding warrant. He was placed under arrest and, during a physical search, deputies found methamphetamine in his front pants pocket.

Stout’s passenger, identified as Tara Sha Barnes, 37, of Stony Point, NC, initially gave deputies a fictitious name but later admitted to them that she had methamphetamine in her purse. When deputies searched the vehicle, they found a bag with the drug, as well as several small baggies, two sets of digital scales, a glass smoking pipe and several hypodermic needles, ICSO said.

Both Stout and Barnes were arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center.

Stout was charged with felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; felony possession of methamphetamine; felony maintaining a dwelling, vehicle or place to sell controlled substance, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was also served with the outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court in Iredell County. His secured bond was set at $50,000.

Barnes was charged with felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; felony possession of methamphetamine; misdemeanor possession of Schedule IV controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor resisting a public officer.

“While processing her arrest paperwork, it was discovered Barnes also had an outstanding warrant for her arrest out of Alexander County for failing to appear in court,” ICSO said. Her secured bond was set at $27,000.

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