CHINA GROVE — A China Grove man known for his over-the-top Christmas lights display was charged with drug trafficking after a four-month police investigation.

The China Grove Police Department charged Jay Leland Little, 55, of 312 Haney St., with three counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, three counts of trafficking in opium or heroin, and three counts of maintaining a dwelling to sell a controlled substance.

According to police Sgt. J. Overcash, investigators purchased pills from Little and arrested him on June 13 while serving a search warrant at his Haney Street home. The investigation began after a tip from the public, officials said.

Little was issued a $20,000 secured bond and was released from the Rowan County jail. Little has already reported to court for a first-appearance hearing.

Little was featured in a 2009 Salisbury Post “Electric Elf” Christmas lights competition.

— Shavonne Walker