A convicted felon and Pagan’s motorcycle gang member in jail on drug charges had additional drug and firearm charges added this week.
Michael Lee Phelps, 51, of Hannah Court Jacksonville, was charged Monday by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon and manufacturing methamphetamine, according to warrants.
Phelps was first arrested June 19 as part of a drug investigation and charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine by possession, trafficking methamphetamine by manufacture, trafficking hydrocodone by possession, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, The Daily News previously reported.
Detectives searched Phelps’ residence and allegedly found 214.6 grams of crystal meth, 8.3 grams of hydrocodone, $4,253 in cash and five firearms, according to previous reports.
According to OSCO Maj. Chris Thomas, Phelps’ charges this week are connected to the previous investigation and more arrests are possible as the investigation continues.
Thomas said checks on the firearms revealed one of the firearms in Phelps’ possession was allegedly stolen from Indiana.
“After review, probable cause was determined for a stolen firearm,” Thomas said.
The gun, a 44-caliber revolver, was reported stolen by the Indianapolis Metropolition Police Department and valued at $100, according to warrants.
Phelps is now also accused of manufacturing methamphetamine following the continued investigation, Thomas added. Thomas said the manufacturing charge does not specifically mean Phelps is accused of making meth, but could also be related to him allegedly packaging and repackaging or cutting the meth by mixing it with other chemicals.
Phelps remains in custody at the Onslow County detention center under $2.1 million bond.
“He’s been in jail the whole time,” Thomas confirmed Tuesday.
Phelps has previously been convicted in Kentucky on felony cocaine trafficking charges, Thomas previously told The Daily News.
Phelps made his first appearance in court Tuesday before Judge Sarah Seaton and is next scheduled to appear in court on July 24, according to court documents. He is being represented by attorney Matthew Silva.
In addition to the charges against Phelps for this week’s arrest, Phelps is also scheduled to appear in court on July 9 for charges of felony possession of heroin, felony trafficking heroin, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and felony possession with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver methamphetamine, according to N.C. Courts.
