A Johnston County man is facing drug and child abuse charges.
Stevie Allen Cantrell II, 37, of S. Wilson Street, Kenly was arrested at a Johnston County Sheriff’s Office SAFE Team license checkpoint Wednesday afternoon on Princeton-Kenly Road.
When Cantrell stopped at the checkpoint, deputies allege they detected an odor of marijuana coming from his car. Cantrell, who had his two young daughters in the backseat, reportedly denied there was marijuana in the vehicle. During a search of the car, a smoking marijuana roach was found in an orange pill bottle, leading deputies to suspect Cantrell may have been smoking marijuana but once he saw the checkpoint ahead attempted to conceal it.
A total of 7 ounces were found in mason jars and in bags inside the car along with a quantity of drug paraphernalia.
Deputies placed his two children, ages 18 months and 4 years-old, in the custody of his mother.
Cantrell was taken to the Johnston County Jail and charged with felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, felony maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and misdemeanor child abuse. Bond was set at $10,000.
The Johnston County Department of Social Services was notified about the incident, according to Sheriff’s Captain Jeff Caldwell.
