Rutherford County Sheriff's Investigation Leads to Drug Arrests

Following an investigation involving surveillance and intelligence gathering, a search warrant was executed at the residence on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025.As a result of the search, the following items were seized:25 grams of powder fentanylMultiple items of drug paraphernalia$345 in U.S. currencyMultiple cell phonesTwo individuals were arrested on-scene:John Earl Strickland, of Forest CityCharged with:Trafficking in Opium or HeroinMaintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substanc