39-year-old Michael Lamar Gaines of Akron, Ohio was arrested Monday (February 6) by Iredell County Sheriff’s Officers. He’s charged with two felony counts apiece of trafficking methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and opioids, single felony counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver meth, heroin, cocaine, schedule II controlled substance, and marijuana, possession of marijuana, maintaining a vehicle for sale of controlled substance, flee to elude arrest in a motor vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a felon, along with misdemeanor counts of possession of schedule IV controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Monday, Iredell County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to stop an Audi SUV, with Ohio temporary tag, for a traffic violation on Interstate 77 South near the 62 mile marker. The driver of the vehicle reportedly refused to stop for deputies and fled at a high rate of speed. The driver exited the Interstate on Tomlin Mill Rd where he wrecked into an embankment and fled on foot.

The driver, Michael Lamar Gaines, was arrested after a brief foot pursuit and was transported to Iredell Memorial Hospital by Iredell County EMS for injuries he sustained during the crash. Deputies searched the vehicle and reportedly found more than one pound of crystal methamphetamine, more than 92 grams of heroin/fentanyl mixture, in excess of 72 grams of cocaine, numerous oxycodone pills, approximately four pounds of marijuana and THC edibles, multiple alprazolam pills, and a loaded 9mm pistol with an extended magazine, along with approximately $9,000 in cash.

After further investigation it was found that Gaines was wanted out of Ohio for aggravated drug trafficking and parole violations. Deputies also learned that Gaines had a lengthy criminal history and was a convicted felon which prohibited him from possessing firearms. After Gaines was released from the hospital he was jailed in the Iredell County Detention Center under $1,000,000 dollars secured bond on the drug and gun charges and no bond on fugitive warrants from Ohio. A District Court date is February 28.