40-year-old Thomas Craig Harden of Reep Road in Connelly Springs was arrested Tuesday (October 31) by Burke County Sheriff’s Officers. He’s charged with felony counts of trafficking methamphetamine and maintaining a vehicle, dwelling, or place for controlled substance.

Harden was arrested shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday at an address on Potter Street in Connelly Springs. It’s the second time this suspect has been arrested in Burke County in less than a month. As WHKY previously reported, Harden was arrested October 13 by Burke County Sheriff’s Officers. He was charged on that date with felony counts of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon.

On that date, a Burke County Sheriff’s Officer responded to a traffic stop on Bethel Road in Morganton. While conducting a search, the officer reportedly found a 9mm bullet in Harden’s 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 Tuesday’s arrest, Harden was confined in the Burke County Jail under $40,000 secured bond. He remained in jail as of earlier today (November 2). He was scheduled to appear in District Court today on the new charges. Harden also has Burke County District Court dates next Monday (November 6) and December 8.