Kannapolis officer misses on federal suspect, but lands marijuana bust

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 15, 2013

KANNAPOLIS — A sharp-eyed Kannapolis detective tracked a suspicious vehicle to a home on East 31st Street last week.
But when Investigator Jamie Beach approached the suspect’s house, the man wasn’t there.
Another man, Santavius Lamar Mayfield, was there — along with 100 grams of marijuana, more than $1,000 in cash and several guns, an arrest report said.
Beach was traveling on N.C. 29 when he passed the suspect’s vehicle Jan. 8.
The suspect had an outstanding federal drug warrant, authorities said.
He tracked the vehicle back to the area near Mayfield’s home.
When he knocked on Mayfield’s door, the officer immediately was hit by a “strong odor of marijuana,”?an arrest report said.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.
Two mason jars, packed with marijuana awaiting sale, deputies said, was inside the home.
Digital scales, plastic bags and a smoking device was found in the home.
Authorities said four handguns and “numerous”?magazines were found, but no charges were filed because Mayfield is not a convicted felon.
The firearms were “loaded and ready to fire when detectives searched the residence,” a press release said.
Mayfield was charged with felony possession of marijuana with intent to sell and deliver, maintaining a dwelling for storing drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Contact reporter Nathan Hardin at 704-797-4246.