Murfreesboro PD arrest man with mushrooms and marijuana

Published 11:00 am Wednesday, April 3, 2024

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MURFREESBORO – A man in possession of Psilocybin mushrooms and other drugs was recently arrested by Murfreesboro Police after attempting to evade a traffic stop.

Zackery Fite

MPD Chief David Griffith reported that his officers, along with members of the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office, were conducting a driver’s license checkpoint near Murfreesboro on March 16 when one driver tried to avoid the checkpoint by pulling into the parking lot of a nearby church.

Griffith said this occurred around 11 p.m., so no services were being held at the church at the time.

MPD Officer H. Stephens, with assistance from Lt. D. Burke, investigated and identified the driver as Zackery Fite of Greenville. After a probable cause search of the vehicle, they found approximately 250 grams (8.8 ounces) of marijuana, 220 grams (7.76 ounces) of Psilocybin mushrooms, and an assortment of other drug paraphernalia.

Psilocybin is considered a schedule I controlled substance in North Carolina, which is defined as having “a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in the United States, or a lack of accepted safety for use in treatment under medical supervision.”

Griffith said they do not often come across Psilocybin mushrooms in drug arrests, and he’s only seen them a few times in his career.

Fite was charged with maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance; possession of a schedule I controlled substance; possession of a schedule VI controlled substance; possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a schedule VI controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia; and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

Chief Griffith noted that the last charge was because Fite had a family member with him in the vehicle at the time of his arrest.

Fite was taken to the Hertford County Jail and placed under a $10,000 secured bond. His next court date is April 23.

“I want to thank the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office,” said Griffith, “and special thanks to Officer Stephens for the attention to detail.”

Griffith stated that he was glad they were able to get more drugs off the streets and keep them from falling into other people’s hands.