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GARYSBURG – A local man faces multiple felony drug charges as well as allegedly raping a minor child.

Dameon Rocky Turner, age 35, was arrested and charged here Friday morning with felony possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession of firearm by felon, trafficking opium, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, statutory rape, and indecent liberties with a child.

According to Lt. Christopher A. Parker, the Narcotics Division Supervisor of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, it was learned during further investigation, after executing a search warrant, that Turner had allegedly engaged in intercourse with a person who was at the time of the offense was 15 years of age or younger.

Turner was also served three orders of arrest, two of which were for driving while license revoked, and one for having a dangerous dog that was unrestrained beyond the owner’s property.

Turner was jailed under a $40,000 bond for the drug charges; a $50,000 bond on the statutory rape and indecent liberties charges; and a $500 bond on the orders of arrest. He is scheduled to make his first appearance in court on March 4.

The arrest came after agents of The Down East Drug Task Force and Garysburg Police Department, with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau Of Investigation, executed a search warrant in the 200 block of Truman Street in Garysburg shortly after 7 a.m. on Feb. 26.

The search warrant stems from a joint investigation conducted by the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and the SBI.

During the search of the residence, agents located and seized 490 grams of marijuana, Promethazine with codeine, a Draco style AK-47, and a digital scale, along with U.S. currency.

Lt. Parker said he would follow up with ATF (Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms) agents and the United States Attorney’s Office in reference this case.

Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith stated that his department will continue to pursue individuals who violate drug and gun offenses.

“I would like to commend and thank members of the tri- county Down East Drug Task Force, the North Carolina State Bureau Of Investigation, Sgt. Horton, and Lt. Parker for their effort in this investigation. We at Northampton County Sheriff’s Office are committed to removing all illegal drugs from our communities and we will continue to make a difference to make our citizens and neighborhoods safer, in hopes that it will not get to our children,” Sheriff Smith stated.

Citizens are encouraged to report possible drug activity by calling the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division at (252) 534-2611 (ext. 175) or the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office Crime Stoppers at (252) 534-1110.