Sheriff’s Office makes arrest on Meth Traffickers

CALDWELL COUNTY, NC (August 1, 2017)…Sheriff Alan C. Jones has announced that an undercover drug investigation has come to a close with the arrests of two methamphetamine traffickers from Hudson. Tony Aaron Ferguson, age 22, and Kirsten Leigh Ann Short, age 22, were both apprehended and charged yesterday with two counts each of trafficking methamphetamine. The investigation included the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office Ice Unit, Lenoir Police Department, Burke County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, and Morganton Public Safety. Both Ferguson and Short were suspected by investigators to be major suppliers of methamphetamine in Caldwell and Burke Counties.

They were apprehended and taken into custody without incident after a vehicle stop on Hartland Road in Caldwell County. A Lenoir Police Department K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics in the vehicle and a search was conducted by officers. As a result of the search, over 6 1/2 ounces of methamphetamine, 1/4 ounce of high grade marijuana, drug paraphernalia to include scales and baggies, and a small amount of cash was seized from the suspects. The vehicle, a 2001 Toyota Corolla CE, was also confiscated by the Ice Unit. The drugs have a street value of $28,975 according to North Carolina Drug Guidelines.

“This was a well-played collective effort from all law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation, which ended in two drug traffickers off the streets. – Sheriff Alan C. Jones

The following individuals were arrested and charged with the listed crimes:

Tony Aaron Ferguson, W/M, age 22
3287 Eberle Way
Hudson, NC
• One (1) Count Felonious Trafficking in Methamphetamine by Possession.
• One (1) Count Felonious Trafficking in Methamphetamine by Transportation.
Ferguson was incarcerated in the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond on the charges. He has a first appearance in District Court in Lenoir on August 1, 2017.

Kirsten Leigh Ann Short, W/F, age 22
3287 Eberle Way
Hudson, NC
• One (1) Count Felonious Trafficking in Methamphetamine by Possession.
• One (1) Count Felonious Trafficking in Methamphetamine by Transportation.

Short was incarcerated in the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond on the charges. She has a first appearance in District Court in Lenoir on August 1, 2017.

The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office is always in search of any information involving the use and distribution of illegal controlled substances. A concerned citizen’s information and assistance will be kept confidential. If you have any information concerning illegal drug activity in Caldwell County, please contact the:

Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office I.C.E. Unit at 828-757-1178.
Lenoir Police Department’s Narcotics Division at 828-757-2145.
Hudson Police Department at 828-728-5021.
Granite Falls Police Department at 828-396-3358.
Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.