NORTH CAROLINA — Two people are facing multiple felony charges after authorities say a traffic stop uncovered fentanyl and cocaine in a vehicle carrying a 3-year-old child.
According to the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, the Neuse River Narcotics Task Force conducted a traffic stop Feb. 25 along U.S. Highway 70 near the Tuscarora Rhems Road exit. During a search of the vehicle, investigators reported finding more than 16 grams of fentanyl and more than 2 grams of cocaine.
Officials said a 3-year-old child was inside the vehicle at the time. The child was released to family members.
Choncey Ryan Sawyer, 34, of Bayboro, is charged with two counts of trafficking fentanyl, felony conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver fentanyl, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine, maintaining a vehicle for the sale of a controlled substance, and felony child exposure to controlled substances.
Jenna Paige Barnes, 30, of Grantsboro, faces the same charges.
Authorities noted that a new state law that took effect Dec. 1 makes it a felony to allow a child under 16 to be exposed to a controlled substance.
Sawyer is being held on a $4 million secured bond. Officials said he was previously out on bond for separate felony drug charges at the time of this arrest. Bond information for Barnes was not immediately available.
Both individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
