57-year-old Roger Gene Whisenant of Smith Lane in Morganton was arrested by Burke County Sheriff’s Officers. He’s charged with felony counts of possession of cocaine, possession of crack cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substance, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon. In addition, Whisenant is charged with misdemeanor counts of assault with a deadly weapon and communicating threats.

Last Wednesday (October 11) at approximately 12:15 a.m., the Burke County Sheriff’s Office responded to an investigation call in reference to a report of shots being fired. After deputies arrived at the Smith Lane residence, the original caller, Roger Gene Whisenant, was discovered to have an active warrant for misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon. While taking Whisenant into custody on the outstanding warrant, road patrol deputies noticed several firearms in plain view.

Further investigation revealed that the caller was a convicted felon. Deputies made contact with the Criminal Investigation Division, and a search warrant for the Smith Lane property was obtained. During the execution of the search warrant; 13 firearms, approximately 1.68 grams of powder cocaine, approximately .6 grams of crack cocaine, 155 grams of marijuana, and six marijuana plants were found and seized.

Whisenant was confined to the Burke County Jail under $40,000 secured bond following his arrest. He was not listed as an inmate as of earlier today (October 17). A District Court date on the drug and firearm charges was scheduled last Thursday (October 12), no upcoming court dates were listed for those charges. A November 6 District Court date is scheduled for the misdemeanor charges.