46-year-old Sandra Burch Howard and 46-year-old Jason Robert Yoder, both from the same address on Shady Valley Lane in Claremont, were arrested by Hickory Police last Friday (November 3). They were each charged with felony trafficking in opium or heroin and possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a schedule II controlled substance. Howard was also charged with misdemeanor simple possession of a schedule IV controlled substance, while Yoder faces a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both suspects were taken into custody without incident at about 12:25 Friday afternoon at the intersection of 13th Avenue Drive S.E. and 10th Avenue Drive S.E. in Hickory. Howard and Yoder were placed in the Catawba County Detention Facililty with bond for each set at $17,000, secured. Neither remained in custody as of this afternoon (November 8). First appearances in District Court were scheduled this past Monday (November 6) in Newton. No additional court dates are currently listed.