CHEROKEE COUNTY, NC — A north Georgia man is facing charges after authorities say he tried to avoid a traffic stop by offering a homeowner money to let him inside.
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According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Sept. 24 in the area of Mission Road.
During the stop, deputies said the driver tried to evade law enforcement by pulling into the driveway of a private residence and offering the homeowner $50 to allow him inside.
Deputies identified the driver as Terry Joseph McMichael, 43, of Hiawassee.
Authorities said deputies made contact with McMichael and developed probable cause to search his vehicle.
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According to the sheriff’s office, the search led to the seizure of 4.5 grams of fentanyl, 78 grams of methamphetamine and 145 grams of marijuana. Deputies also seized $802 in cash.
McMichael was arrested and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center.
He faces the following charges:
- Trafficking in fentanyl by possession
- Trafficking in fentanyl by transport
- Trafficking in methamphetamine by possession
- Trafficking in methamphetamine by transport
- Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana
- Simple possession of a Schedule III controlled substance
McMichael is being held without bond, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Mr. McMichael is not from Cherokee County but made the erroneous decision to come here and peddle illegal drugs,” Cherokee County Sheriff Chris Wood said in a statement. “I have made myself abundantly clear that we will not tolerate it.”
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