Suspect arrested at checkpoint, charged with drug offenses

Gregory Lee Netherton, 60, of Roberts Lane in Morganton, was arrested by Morganton Public Safety officers on Saturday (July 27) on a Caldwell County warrant charging him with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday, a public safety officer encountered Netherton at a checkpoint on East Fleming Drive at Hogan Street. It turned out that there was a Caldwell County warrant out for Netherton’s arrest. The suspect was taken into custody.

Netherton also faces multiple traffic offenses and possession of marijuana paraphernalia in Burke County. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Offender Public Information website lists several convictions against him. The cases all originate in Burke County and date back to 1982, with the most recent conviction occurring in 1998.

Following Saturday’s arrest, Netherton was taken to the Burke County Jail on $2,500 bail. He was not listed as an inmate as of today (July 30). He is scheduled to appear in Caldwell County Superior Court on September 19.