RCSO K-9 drug alert on traffic stop, 2 charged

ROCKINGHAM – A man and a woman are facing charges after a K-9 allegedly alerted to narcotics.

According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Community Impact Team investigators saw William Blake Callahan, 33, of Rockingham, make a drug transaction in the parking lot of a convenience store on Roberdel Road on Friday, May 31.

Callahan allegedly ran a red light after leaving the store.

Investigators conducted a traffic stop and discovered that 33-year-old Meredith Michaela Chappell was a passenger in the vehicle.

While investigators were speaking with Callahan, RCSO K-9 Hunter allegedly sniffed around the vehicle “and positively alerted to the presence of narcotics.”

The vehicle was searched and investigators allegedly found a black bag between the driver and passenger seats containing:

• a Taurus 9mm pistol
• a set of digital scales
• 14.6 grams of fentanyl
• 5 grams of methamphetamine
• 3 grams of cocaine
• 10 dosage units of Roxicodone
• 6 dosage units of Xanax
• $545

Callahan was arrested and charged with: trafficking in opium or heroin; methamphetamine trafficking; possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine; possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule IV controlled substance; felony possession of Schedule II controlled substances; carrying a concealed weapon; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the sheriff’s office, Callahan was booked into the Richmond County Jail and held without bond, but did not appear in online jail records on June 3.

Chappell was charged with maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance and was jailed on $5,000 bail. Records appear to show she was released.

Both are scheduled to appear in court on those charges on June 13.

Online court records show Callahan was scheduled to appear in court June 3 on charges of assault on a female and uttering threats, as well as two probation violations.

Records show Chappell and Callahan each have the following drug charges pending in Superior Court from last year: two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine; possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule III controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine; possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana; criminal possession of marijuana; maintaining a vehicle, home or place for a controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia. ‘

Other pending charges for Callahan include: possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine; possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule IV controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule III controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; and penetration and entry.

Both Callahan and Chappell also have multiple pending traffic violations.

Chappell was previously convicted in 2014 of misdemeanor theft, according to records with the NC Department of Adult Corrections. Callahan has no prior convictions in the state.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.