By Josh Bergeron
josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

A Rowan County sheriff’s deputy may have found more than he expected on Christmas Eve when he smelled an odor of marijuana.

An incident that started as an investigation into an odor of marijuana ended Saturday with a Mooresville man being arrested for a number of drug charges.

Richard Russell, a 46-year-old Mooresville man, was arrested on Saturday for felony possession of a schedule I controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and resisting a public officer. Russell remained in jail Sunday afternoon under a $5,000 bond.

Warrants state that Russell failed to disclose to a Rowan County sheriff’s deputy that he had a used syringe, marijuana and a metal can in his underwear. Warrants state the metal can contained heroin in it.

Russell was one of a several people arrested for drug-related charges on Christmas Eve or the morning of Christmas Day. Others included:

• Mark Anthony Whitley, a 52-year old Stanly County resident

Whitley was arrested on Sunday for possession of a schedule II controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a schedule II controlled substance.

• Demarcus Richard Smith, a 24-year-old China Grove resident

Smith was arrested for possession of a schedule VI controlled substance with intent to manufacture sell or distribute, maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance and resisting a public officer.

• Curtis Lynn Stirewalt Jr., a 26-year-old Salisbury resident

Stirewalt was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, larceny of a firearm and unauthorized use of a vehicle

• Joe Neil Casper Jr., a 36-year-old Rowan County resident

Casper was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.