40-year-old Thomas Craig Harden of Reep Road in Connelly Springs was arrested Friday (October 13) by Burke County Sheriff’s Officers. He’s charged with felony counts of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Shortly after 6 p.m. Friday a Burke County Sheriff’s Officer responded to a traffic stop on Bethel Road in Morganton. While conducting a search of the suspect, Harden, the officer reportedly found a 9mm bullet in his left front pocket that matched the same caliber of a firearm found in the vehicle.

Harden is a felon as a result of a conviction in Burke County in November, 2018. According to the North Carolina Department Of Adult Correction Offender Public Information website, Harden was convicted of multiple counts of felony breaking & entering on November 13, 2018. His only other listed conviction was for misdemeanor breaking & entering in Catawba County in 2000.

Following Friday’s arrest, Harden was brought to the Burke County Jail and confined under $40,000 secured bond. He was not listed as an inmate as of earlier today (October 16). A District Court appearance was scheduled today in Morganton.