A Sparks man facing three drug-related felonies has pleaded not guilty and his case is set for the May felony disposition docket.
Stephen Charles Graham, 61, was formally charged in Lincoln County District Court July 18, 2023 with trafficking in illegal drugs (methamphetamine), possession of firearm after former conviction of a felony; and possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (marijuana).
He was arrested at his residence in Sparks on July 12 last year by Lincoln County deputies. Graham has been previously convicted of a felony.
At the conclusion of his preliminary in December, he was bound over to stand trial.
During his arraignment before District Judge John Canavan, he pleaded not guilty and the judge set him for the felony disposition docket at 9 a.m. May 7.
He appeared before Associate District Judge Sheila Kirk on July 13 and she set bond for Graham at $100,000. He reappeared before Judge Kirk on July 17. In Count 1, he is accused on July 12 this year of possessing methamphetamine a CDS.
Count 2 charges him on the same date of having in his possession at his residence a sawed off single shot shotgun located in the bedroom of his house after he had been convicted on March 15, 2016 in Lincoln County District Court of Operating a Chop Shop.
In Count 3, he is charged on the same date with possession of CDS, marijuana.
In a probable cause affidavit, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Capt. Chuck Brewer states he was conducting a criminal investigation and that numerous people of interest were wanted on outstanding felony warrants.
He said he had received information that one or more of those persons might be located at Graham’s residence in Sparks.
Brewer, along with Sgt. Tanner Hand and Deputy Cody Coleman, drove to Graham’s residence. Brewer stated when the was opened he recognized Graham.
The captain advised Graham he was conducting a criminal investigation and named the people he was searching for. He told Graham he had received information one or more were at his residence but Graham said no one was at the residence other than himself.
Brewer reportedly asked Graham would he allow deputies to confirm no wanted persons were there and Graham consented and agreed to allow them to enter.
As deputies looked throughout the house, Coleman informed Brewer he observed a quantity of clear, crystallite substance in a clear Ziploc bag in plain view sitting on a shelf in an open closet in the master bedroom.
Brewer went to the bedroom to observe the substance in plain view and believed it was methamphetamine. He also spotted digital scales and syringes with needles in the bag with the meth.
The captain advised Graham he was being detained and asked Sgt. Hand to author a search warrant for the residence. Hand left to do so and Brewer and Coleman remained at the residence, according to the affidavit.
After they had obtained the search warrant, Brewer said a quantity of methamphetamine, which later was weighed at 126 grams, a sawed off single shot shotgun and marijuana were seized.
Also three cellular communication devices were located and seized. Graham was transported to the Lincoln County Jail in Chandler and booked in.