GATES – A simple traffic stop led to much more here Wednesday.

Gates County Sheriff Randy Hathaway reports that drugs, cash, guns and a stolen vehicle landed two local residents behind bars.

Hathaway said the case began when one of his deputies made a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by 28-year-old Patrick Burke of 19 Sarem Road, Gates.

“The vehicle had a fictitious license plate, which was the reason it was stopped,” Hathaway said.

A search of the vehicle revealed pills (Tramadol), one marijuana joint and drug paraphernalia, according to the Sheriff. That, he said, led to Burke’s arrest on felony possession with intent to sell and deliver Tramadol, felony maintaining a vehicle to sell and deliver a controlled substance, and several traffic citations.

As a result of the traffic stop where controlled substances were located, Hathaway said a search warrant was obtained for Burke’s residence.

“There we found a quantity of cocaine, cash, guns, drug paraphernalia to include a set of scales, and discovered a vehicle reportedly stolen from Norfolk (Virginia) located in a garage that was unattached from the residence,” Hathaway said.

The Sheriff added that NC DMV was called to the scene to investigate the stolen vehicle.

Additionally, Hathaway stated that four malnourished pit bulls were on the property.

As a result of the residential search warrant, the Gates County Sheriff’s Office charged Burke with three felonies – possession with intent to sale and deliver cocaine, maintaining a dwelling to sale and deliver a controlled substance, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Burke also faces misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, and animal cruelty (4 counts).

Hathaway said a woman at the residence, 26-year-old Nicole Selden, faces all the same charges as Burke.

The Sheriff stated that both Burke and Selden were immediately jailed for 48 hours, mandated by law as they had each violated a domestic violence protective order.

As for the other charges, Hathaway said both were placed under an $8,500 bond.

The Sheriff added that other charges are pending.