Burke County Man Sentenced For Drug Trafficking

A Valdese man has been sentenced to a prison term in a drug case. According to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, 33-year-old Nicholas Eugene Bollinger of Leger Road in Valdese entered a guilty plea in Burke County Superior Court to felony trafficking in opium or heroin. He received a sentence of 70-93 months or five years, ten months to seven years, nine months.

On Friday, July 11, 2025, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Bollinger’s residence as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation. During the search, investigators discovered and seized quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and numerous firearms, including one that was stolen.

Two individuals, identified as Nicholas Bollinger and Emily Clawson, were arrested. Both were transported to the Burke County Magistrate’s Office, where they were charged with felony trafficking in opium or heroin, felony possession of meth and felony possession of cocaine.

Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY