By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

A Rockwell pair face felony drug possession charges following an early morning traffic stop. Authorities found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside a car they were in, according to a report.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Michael Wayne Horne, 33, of the 1200 block of Average Drive, with felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a controlled substance schedule I, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance schedule IV, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance schedule VI and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Melanie Dawn Johnson, 34, also of the 1200 block of Average Drive, was  charged with felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule I controlled substance and felony maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances.

Horne had three smoking pipes, 4.1 grams of meth and diazepam — a valium derivative — according to an arrest warrant. The warrant says Johnson had 4.1 grams of methamphetamine.

A deputy was traveling on Mount Hope Church Road when he saw a red Saturn driving close to the vehicle in front of it. The vehicle then made a wide turn onto Artz Road. The deputy followed and stopped the vehicle.

There were three people inside the car, Horne was driving and Johnson was later identified as one of the passengers in the vehicle.

Horne told the deputy he did not have his license on him, and a check of his date of birth revealed he did have a license, said Capt. John Sifford.

Sifford said the license check also showed Horne had a number of driving while impaired offenses. When the officer went back to the car he noted that Horne seemed nervous and was fidgety. The officer said in his report he could smell alcohol coming from the car and Horne’s eyes appeared to be glassy.

He was given a standard field sobriety test and did not pass it. He submitted to taking a breathalyzer test, which returned a negative reading, Sifford said.

Johnson was asked if Horne had been prescribed some medication. She told the officer Horne was not on medication but drank a few sips of beer earlier in the day.

When the officer asked why Horne didn’t mention he’d had some beer earlier, the Rockwell man told the deputy he didn’t think it was worth mentioning.

He eventually admitted to smoking marijuana and taking prescription medications hours before, Sifford said.

Horne also told the officer he had a metal smoking pipe underneath his seat. Another pipe was found inside an eyeglass case. The case had plastic  bags with an off-white substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. The deputy found a crystal-like substance near the passenger seat and the center console.

Horne remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $2,500 secured bond and Johnson has since been released under a $2,500 secured bond.