Nhia Vue, 27, of Conover, was convicted of Trafficking in Methamphetamine by Possession, Trafficking in Methamphetamine by Transportation, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, April 23, 2019.
The Honorable Stanley Allen, Superior Court Judge from Rockingham County, consolidated the three counts into one judgment and sentenced Vue to an active prison for 6 to 8 years in the custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.
The offenses occurred October 19, 2017, when Vue was stopped for driving with a suspended license and fictitious tag. Officers found a hidden compartment inside Vue’s vehicle which contained a Taurus PT-22 firearm, and 29.63 grams of methamphetamine. Vue had been previously convicted for possession of methamphetamine in 2015.
The State and Vue were set to try the case to a jury the week of April 22, 2019. Prior to selecting a jury, Vue and his attorney filed a motion to suppress statements made by Vue to narcotics investigators implicating himself as a drug trafficker. After a full hearing, Judge Allen denied Vue’s motion to suppress. Vue then waived a jury trial and pleaded guilty to all counts without a plea agreement with the State.
The case was investigated by Senior Investigator Bart Lowdermilk of the Catawba County Sheriff Department, with assistance of Conover Police Department and Newton Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Jessica A. Phillips prosecuted the case for the State.
CONTACT: Nathan Key
Phone: 828-695-6193
Email: Nathan.D.Key@nccourts.org