Drugs And Weapons Charges Filed Against Newton Man

35-year old Joshua Lee Franklin of Newton was arrested on Wednesday by Deputies with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. During a search of his residence, investigators seized 71.4 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 6.94 grams of powdered heroin, 28 grams of marijuana, 26 Xanax pills, 9.45 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, six handguns, five ammunition boxes with assorted calibers of ammunition and $2,223 in cash. One of the firearms was reported as stolen according to a press release.

Franklin is charged with charged with trafficking in heroin, trafficking in methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for the purposes of distributing controlled substances, possession of Schedule I controlled substances, possession of Schedule II controlled substances, possession of Schedule IV controlled substances, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and six counts of possession of a firearm by felon. He is being held in the Catawba County Detention Center with a secured bond of $200,000.

Hickory Police, Long View Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration contributed to the investigation.

Photo: Catawba County Sheriff’s Office