JULIAN, N.C. — Two people face felony drug and evasion charges after a vehicle pursuit and subsequent manhunt led to the seizure of more than 72 grams of methamphetamine last month, according to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began on June 5, 2021, when a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle on Ramseur Julian Road, near Sandy Creek Church Road. The driver refused to pull over, initiating a pursuit.
During the chase, the vehicle turned onto Randolph Church Road toward N.C. Highway 22. The car came to an abrupt stop near the intersection of Holder Farm Road, where a male passenger jumped from the front seat and fled on foot. The vehicle then continued fleeing.
As another deputy prepared to deploy spike strips near N.C. Highway 22 and Randolph Church Road, the car stopped in the roadway. The female driver exited the vehicle and fled into the woods, while a backseat passenger was immediately detained by arriving deputies.
Following a search of the surrounding area, deputies located and arrested the driver, identified as Lacey Nicole Wright. Wright was transported to a local hospital by emergency medical services for evaluation.
A search of the vehicle yielded 72.4 grams of methamphetamine alongside drug paraphernalia.
The male passenger who initially fled on foot was later identified as Eugene Cleve Staley Jr. On July 3, 2021, officers with the Asheboro Police Department located and arrested Staley. He was transported to the Randolph County Detention Center and served with outstanding warrants related to the pursuit, as well as an unrelated warrant for misdemeanor simple assault.
Staley’s charges include:
- Felony trafficking in methamphetamine
- Felony possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine
- Felony possession of methamphetamine
- Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
- Resisting a public officer
- Misdemeanor simple assault
Staley was held under an $80,000 secured bond, with a court appearance scheduled for July 6, 2021, in Randolph County District Court.
Wright was booked into the Randolph County Detention Center on June 10, 2021, and served with warrants for her role in the pursuit. Her charges include:
- Felony fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle
- Felony trafficking in methamphetamine
- Felony possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine
- Felony possession of methamphetamine
- Felony maintaining a vehicle for the distribution of a controlled substance
- Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
- Misdemeanor resisting a public officer
- Driving left of center
Wright was released under a $15,000 unsecured bond and had her first court appearance on June 11, 2021, in Randolph County District Court.
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