IFN Staff
A Statesville man who was free on bond while awaiting trial on an attempted murder charge faces new charges after Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies executed a search warrant on Forest Park Drive.
Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Marlon O’Neal Dalton, 50, in a news release Friday.
Members of the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team, in collaboration with ICSO narcotics investigators, executed a search warrant at 1304 Forest Park Drive in Statesville on Thursday. During the search, investigators seized three-quarters of a pound of powdered cocaine, two firearms, and $3,000 in suspected proceeds from narcotics sales, according to the news release. The street value of the drugs seized is $33,600.
“This arrest results from weeks of diligent investigative work,” Campbell said. “Our office remains committed to keeping illegal drugs and dangerous individuals off the streets by targeting repeat offenders who refuse to be law-abiding members of society.
“Due to the extremely violent nature of this suspect, our SERT Unit was utilized,” he added.
Dalton was taken into custody without incident and charged with Felony Level 2 Trafficking of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance and Felony Maintaining a Dwelling Place for the Sale or Use of a Controlled Substance.
He was then transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was served with his charges.
Dalton then appeared before Magistrate M. Nethken, who issued No Bond on these drug charges due to Dalton already being out on secured bond awaiting trial on Felony Attempted First-Degree Murder, Felony Habitual Felon, Felony Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
This investigation remains active. Additional arrests may be forthcoming, Campbell said.
According to the ICSO, the suspect’s criminal history includes the following charges: two counts of Felony Common Law Robbery, Felony Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury with Intent to Kill, DWI Level 5, Felony Assault by Strangulation, DWI Level 1, and Felony Obstruct Justice.