Derek Scott Frenceschini
42-year-old Derek Scott Frenceschini received the active sentence on Wednesday, March 18, from Superior Court Judge Nathaniel J. Poovey after entering guilty pleas to possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as possession of a firearm by a felon.
The charges stem from a June 14, 2025 traffic stop, when a K-9 unit alerted to drugs inside a vehicle driven by Frenceschini. Officers determined he did not have a valid driver’s license and was operating the vehicle with a revoked registration.
A search of the vehicle uncovered multiple powder substances of varying colors, pills, and drug paraphernalia. Investigators also located a loaded Glock 9-millimeter handgun and an additional magazine beneath the driver’s seat.
Frenceschini has a prior felony conviction for possession of cocaine in Surry County dating back to April 2004.
Authorities later encountered Frenceschini again on July 24, 2025, when a Hickory police officer recognized him inside a convenience store and was aware of outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was taken into custody, and officers found bags of fentanyl on his person and inside a backpack he was carrying.
According to investigators, Frenceschini (pictured) admitted he intended to sell the drugs at that location.
The case was investigated by the Hickory Police Department, with Benjamin Coffey leading the investigation. Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Greer prosecuted the case with assistance from legal assistant Stacey London.
Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY