On September 15, 2025, the Rutherfordton Police Department transported three individuals to the Rutherford County Detention Center for processing. Among them was Haley Pate, who was identified as a potential security concern during the standard intake procedure.
ollowing a suspicious body scan and at the request of Sergeant Hale, of the Rutherford County Detention Center, a more thorough search of Ms. Pate was conducted. During the search, Sgt. Hale discovered a significant quantity of concealed fentanyl.
As a result, Haley Pate has been formally charged with the following offenses:
· Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
· Altering/Stealing/Destroying Criminal Evidence
· Possession of a Controlled Substance on Jail Premises
· Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for a Controlled Substance
· Trafficking in Opium or Heroin
Ms. Pate received a bond of $100,000, as set by the magistrate. Her first court appearance is scheduled for September 16, 2025.
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office commends the vigilance and professionalism of its officers and detention staff in preventing what could have been a dangerous incident inside our facility.
***This post regarding the discovery of drugs being concealed on arrestee Haley Pate on September 15, 2025, was not intended to remove any contribution to the discovery and seizure from members of the Rutherfordton Police Department. It was not intentional to take credit away from the arresting officers in any way.
With that said:
1. There was a suspicious scan.
2. There was dialogue between the arresting officers and detention staff regarding a strip search. The arresting officers were in favor of detention staff conducting a strip search.
3. It is policy and the practice that all incoming inmates are scanned and a strip search conducted prior to being placed with the Detention Center’s general population.
4. The drugs were discovered and seized during a strip search and provided to a Rutherfordton Police Officer as evidence for prosecution in this case.
Editor's Note: A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.
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