55-year-old Kenneth Alan Korte of Hiddenite was arrested on May 18 on one felony count of trafficking in methamphetamine. On May 19, additional charges were filed on felony counts of maintaining a dwelling for the sale of controlled substances and trafficking in meth, along with misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Also arrested on May 18 was 40-year-old James Dennis Ceasar of North Wilkesboro on felony counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to sell meth, maintaining a dwelling for the sale of controlled substances, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of meth. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of child abuse, simple possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

They were arrested as Alexander County Sheriff’s Officers, along with Taylorsville Police, and Officers with the State Bureau of Investigations, Homeland Security, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, executed two search warrants. The warrants were part of a month-long narcotics investigation. Before the searches were conducted, a vehicle was stopped as it left a residence on Liberty Church Road in Hiddenite. An Alexander County Sheriff’s K-9 Officer was utilized. The dog gave a positive alert for narcotics. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 28 grams of meth. The driver of the vehicle, Kenneth Korte, was arrested and taken to the Alexander County Detention Center.

After the traffic stop, the first search warrant was carried out on a residence on Liberty Church Road. Meth, fentanyl, marijuana, L.S.D., firearms, and drug paraphernalia were found in the home. James Ceasar was in the home, along with a juvenile male. Ceasar was arrested and transported to the Alexander County Detention Center. The second search warrant was executed at Kenneth Korte’s residence on Princess Lane in Hiddenite, leading to the discovery of various pills, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Korte was jailed under a $100,000 secured bond, while Ceasar was given a $170,000 secured bond. Both men were scheduled to make first appearances in District Court yesterday (May 22) in Taylorsville with their next court dates coming up on June 5.