42-year-old Joseph Eugene Jones of Victory Grove Church Road in Lincolnton was arrested Tuesday (February 14) by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Officers. He’s charged on an indictment with two felony counts of trafficking in methamphetamine and single felony counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a weapon of mass destruction.

On Tuesday, Sheriff’s investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Victory Grove Church Road. During the search, officers found one-and-one-half pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 14 ounces of marijuana, one loaded firearm, more than $13,000 in U.S. currency along with other drug related items. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division assisted with the search and found a trailer reported stolen from the Hickory area and a skid steer that was reported stolen from the Charlotte area.

Jones was arrested on the indictments, which stemmed from a seizure conducted by narcotics officers on November 9, 2022. At that time officers seized ten kilograms of crystal meth, a stolen handgun, a short barrel rifle and another $13,000 in U.S. currency.

Since September 2022, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division has conducted a long term investigation with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Gastonia Police Department, Homeland Security Investigators, Huntersville Police Department, and Mount Holly Police Department. The investigation has included, but has not been limited to, the seizure of 150 pounds of crystal meth, ten firearms, and approximately $27,000 in U.S. currency. The seizures took place in Lincoln and surrounding counties. The investigation is continuing with potential charges in the future.

Following his arrest Tuesday, Jones was placed in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under $175,000 secured bond. He is not listed as an inmate in Lincoln County today (February 16). A Superior Court appearance is scheduled for March 7.