McDowell County -- January 28, 2026: A routine traffic stop in McDowell County led to the arrest of two local men after deputies discovered a significant quantity of methamphetamine.
On Sunday, January 18, Deputy Caleb Baliles of the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office initiated a stop on Parker Padgett Road for traffic violations. The driver, identified as 66-year-old Lawrence Glenn Pennington, Jr. of Old Fort, was found to be operating the vehicle without a license. He was accompanied by 53-year-old passenger Joseph Andrew Franklin, also of Old Fort.
K9 Alert Leads to Discovery
During the encounter, MCSO K9 Rambo conducted an open-air sniff and provided a positive narcotics alert. A subsequent search of the vehicle by deputies uncovered:
Over 30 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
Multiple bags containing the substance.
Various items of drug paraphernalia.
Charges and Bonds
Both men face a litany of felony charges related to the discovery.
Joseph Andrew Franklin has been charged with:
Felony Trafficking in Methamphetamine
Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver Methamphetamine
Felony Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance
Felony Possession of Methamphetamine
Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Misdemeanor Simple Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance
Franklin was issued a $60,000 secured bond.
Lawrence Glenn Pennington, Jr. faces identical felony charges, including trafficking and possession with intent to distribute. However, Pennington was initially denied bond, as he was already out on pretrial release at the time of the stop.
*Suspect is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
WNCTimes