42-year-old Jason Burdette Hughes of U.S. 70 West in Morganton and 24-year-old Samantha Anne Seagle of Sisk Hill Road in Vale were arrested Saturday (August 5) by Morganton Public Safety Officers. Both suspects are charged with felony counts of trafficking, opium or heroin, possession of schedule II controlled substance, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver schedule II controlled substance.

Saturday evening Public Safety Officers were conducting a license checking station at Reep Drive and Carbon City Road. Just before 10:30 p.m. a silver Kia Optima approached an officer and the driver, identified as Hughes, said he did not have a driver’s license. During the traffic stop, officers reportedly seized three grams of methamphetamine and five grams of what are described as depressants. The two suspects were arrested.

According to the North Carolina Department Of Adult Correction Offender Public Information website, Jason Burdette Hughes has multiple convictions on felony and misdemeanor charges dating back to 2005 in Burke, McDowell, and Mitchell Counties. His most recent conviction was in March, 2023 in Burke County.

Both suspects were brought to the Burke County Jail under $25,000 secured bond. Seagle was not listed as an inmate in Burke County, Hughes remained in jail as of earlier today. Both suspects are scheduled to make their next District Court appearance on August 28.