Probation officer suspended following drug arrest

A probation officer who faces multiple drug charges has been placed on leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

A spokesman for the state Department of Correction said Calvin Suber Jr., 43, of 701 Spencer Ave., Spencer, will be on paid leave.

Suber and a Richfield man were arrested with 420 grams of uncut, powder cocaine, which authorities say has a street value of $200,000. Stanly Sheriff Tony G. Frick said the cocaine seizure is the largest single seizure of cocaine on record in Stanly County.

Suber is charged with six felonies, including two counts of trafficking in cocaine and two counts of conspiracy to traffic.

Suber has been an employee of the Department of Correction since 1982 and is currently a supervisor for intensive cases. The spokesman said the Department of Correction will conduct its own investigation into the charges against Suber before making a final determination on his status.

Suber was arrested in a sting operation conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation and the Stanly County Inter-Agency Drug Task Force, which includes the Albemarle Police Department.

Suber’s arrest surprised many in the Rowan County Clerk of Court’s office who have worked with him for years.

“It was a shock to me and my staff,” said Clerk of Court Jeff Barger. “When we heard about it yesterday morning, we couldn’t believe it.”

Barger said Suber has always come across as a “super nice guy.”

“News of the arrest kind of threw us for a loop,” said Barger.

Suber and Richfield resident Darren Fitzgerald Bennet, 30, of 229 Winter St., were arrested late Wednesday near Richfield.

Sheriff Frick said the uncut powder provides the base for rock cocaine. Each cocaine rock averages two-tenths of one gram, according to Frick. The 420 grams of powder would provide the base to make more than 2,000 rocks of cocaine.

Officers seized Suber’s 1998 Toyota Tacoma.

During the ensuing investigation, Frick said the task force also seized $4,594 in cash and five weapons. The weapons included two handguns, two shotguns and a SKS assault-type rifle.

Bennett and Suber are being held in the Stanly County Jail under $200,000 bond each.

Bennett has been charged with five felony counts, including one count of trafficking, three counts of conspiracy to traffic and one count of possession with intent to sell cocaine.

Both are set for first appearance in Stanly County District Court on Jan. 15.

Contact Jessie Burchette at jburchette@salisburypost.com  or call 704-797-4254.