IFN Staff

A western Iredell County resident faces felony drug and weapons charges after being stopped for a traffic violation by an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Jiceri Sankwan Tucker, 29, of Titanium Drive, Statesville, in a news release.

After Sgt. Souther stopped a Volvo driven by Tucker on May 17 on Wilkesboro Highway, he learned that Tucker’s North Carolina driver’s license was suspended, Campbell said.

Deputy Greene responded to assist with the investigation and deployed ICSO Canine Elio. While on the scene, Canine Elio alerted deputies to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle, according to the news release. During the subsequent search of the vehicle, deputies found a Smith & Wesson Shield 9mm handgun along with cocaine concealed inside a cigarette pack, Campbell said.

Investigators learned that the firearm had previously been reported stolen to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Souther also determined Tucker had a felony conviction in 2023, making it unlawful for him to possess a firearm.

Tucker was arrested and charged with felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony possession of a stolen firearm, felony possession of cocaine, felony maintain vehicle for controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor driving while license revoked.

He was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he appeared before Magistrate Callejas. Because Tucker was free on bond on earlier charges at the time of his arrest, he was issued no bond.

Accordint to the ICSO, Tucker’s criminal history includes the following charges: misdemeanor resisting a public officer, misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, misdemeanor simple assault, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a schedule II controlled substance, felony attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and multiple traffic violations.