Morganton Man Facing Federal Drug Charges

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office apprehended 39-year-old William Chase Pate of Morganton, on Friday, July 25. Pate was wanted on federal drug indictments stemming from an ongoing narcotics investigation initiated in 2024. During a search while being taken into custody, investigators discovered a substance believed to be fentanyl, leading to an additional charge of felony possession of fentanyl.

On December 12, 2024, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and Morganton Department of Public Safety SWAT teams executed a search warrant at his former residence at 4250 South Fork Avenue in Hickory, within Burke County jurisdiction. The operation, supported by multiple agencies including the NC State Public Safety K-9, NC SBI, Federal ATF, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Hickory Police Department, and Morganton Department of Public Safety, uncovered over 2.2 pounds of methamphetamine, multiple firearms, small plastic baggies, glass pipes, straws, U.S. currency, and packaging materials consistent with narcotics trafficking. At that time, Pate was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a felon, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He was free under a $100,000 secured bond until his Friday arrest.

The latest arrest reflects an escalation in the investigation, with the federal indictments reinforcing the severity of his alleged drug activities. Pate is currently held without bond at the Burke County Jail, with a first court appearance set for Monday, July 28. to address both the new fentanyl charge and the outstanding federal charges.

Burke County Sheriff’s Office