A Morganton man will serve seven to 10 years in prison following his conviction for trafficking fentanyl by possession and resisting an officer during a session of Catawba County Superior Court.
Sixty-year-old Juan Gregory McPherson was given the active prison term by the Honorable Karen Eady-Williams, Superior Court Judge from Mecklenburg County, after he entered a guilty plea on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
The defendant will serve his period of incarceration in custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections. He also was assessed a mandatory fine of $500,000.
A traffic stop for no tag light was initiated on February 10, 2026, by officers from Long View Police Department, and the odor of marijuana was detected. The defendant admitted that marijuana was under the seat.
As he was being searched, McPherson attempted to flee from officers but slipped and fell. After a brief struggle, he was placed in handcuffs. He was found in possession of glass and plastic pipes. On the ground where he fell and was detained, officers found a pack of cigarettes containing a trafficking amount of fentanyl.
Sergeant Alex Chapman investigated the case for Long View Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Melanie Earles prosecuted the matter for the State with aid from Legal Assistant Jordan Arney.