WADESBORO — While on his way to Lilesville for normal business, Sgt. Mario Koberesy claimed he noticed a brown Oldsmobile driving erratically in front of him on US Highway 74 East, prompting him to conduct a traffic stop that resulted in the arrest of Michael Dean Carpenter.
According to accounts, at 9:45 a.m. on October 27, he spotted the Oldsmobile driving 15 miles below the speed limit and dangerously.
Carpenter allegedly crossed the median multiple times before jerking into the right lane and repeatedly opening his car door. Kobersy activated his patrol vehicle’s blue lights to start a traffic stop. Carpenter stopped on Church Street. Sgt. Kobersy approached the vehicle and made contact with the suspect inside.
According to reports, he explained why the driver was being pulled over and asked him to provide his driver’s license and proof of insurance. The driver identified himself as Michael Dean Carpenter.
Carpenter began searching for his ID within his masculine handbag or purse, which was sitting next to him in the van, per Kobersy’s request. From his vantage position, Kobersy stated he observed a cache of used and unused needles within the purse.
At this point, Sgt. Kobersy asked Carpenter to stop searching for his ID and get outside the truck. Sgt. Kobersy radioed for additional units to help him search the car. Deputies White and Benoist responded quickly to his need for backup.
Carpenter allegedly stated that one of the needles in his backpack had a mixture of narcotics and blood. Carpenter claimed that the narcotics inside the needle caused a “bad high,” and that he was saving the bloodied needle to burn later. Law enforcement conducted a thorough check of the purse and discovered two syringes, one full with dark liquid and the other empty.
Additionally, during the search, sources say that a black pouch containing what seemed to be two crystalline rocks was discovered. Deputies ran a field test on the pebbles and discovered they were positive for methamphetamine.
Deputies arrested Carpenter and took him to the Anson County Magistrate’s Office, where Magistrate Thomas determined probable cause to charge him with methamphetamine possession and drug paraphernalia.
After being served, Carpenter posted a $10,000 bond.