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Two Alexander County Women Facing Felony Drug Charges

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The following is an update on a story reported on Monday. This morning, the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office released this information.

On Saturday, May 1, 2021 at approximately 8:30 PM, an ongoing three-month investigation into drug activity led to a high-speed chase that originated on Damascus Church Road in the Hiddenite Community of Alexander County and ended on Highway 115 in Iredell County near Phil Redmon’s store. Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Deputies deployed stop sticks to attempt to stop the vehicle. The vehicle continued traveling at a slower rate of speed after the stop sticks were struck. 249 grams of methamphetamine were seized from the scene. The occupants of the vehicle were charged as follows:

Payton Rose Schwantes

Payton Rose Schwantes, age 24 of Stony Point, was charged with two counts of Felony Trafficking Methamphetamine and one count of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Schwantes is being held in the Alexander County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond with a first appearance date of Monday, May 3, 2021 in Alexander County District Court.

Chrystal Gail Stikeleather

Chrystal Gail Stikeleather, age 38 of Taylorsville, was charged with two counts of Felony Trafficking Methamphetamine, one count of Felony Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling Place for Controlled Substance, on count of Felony Flee/Elude Arrest with Motor Vehicle, one count of Misdemeanor Injury to personal Property, and one count of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Stikeleather is being held in the Alexander County Detention Center under a $60,000 secured bond with a first appearance date of Monday, May 3, 2021 in Alexander County District Court. Stikeleather was also on active Federal Probation.

This is a joint investigation between the Department of Homeland Security’s Narcotics Division, Taylorsville Police Department, and Alexander County Sheriff’s Office. Federal charges for the narcotics that were seized as a result of the vehicle chase are pending.

Photos: Alexander County Sheriff’s Office