BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — A Burke County man accused of multiple drug offenses has surrendered to authorities after spending less than a day on the Burke County Sheriff’s Office Most Wanted list. The Sheriff’s Office says in a Tuesday (August 18) news release that 29-year-old Michael Joel Davis of Morganton surrendered last Friday (August 14) at the Burke County Magistrate’s Office. Deputies were dispatched there to meet with a local bondsman and serve Davis with failure to appear warrants.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Davis faces multiple charges in Burke County, including two counts of felony trafficking opium or heroin, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Davis also surrendered on charges from Buncombe County, including felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Davis was given a combined $254,000 secured bond — $250,000 for the Burke County charges and $4,000 for the Buncombe County charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 14, 2026. The Sheriff’s Office says Davis was on its Most Wanted list for less than a day before surrendering.