Lincoln County arrests suspect from ‘Most Wanted’ narcotics list

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Detectives have arrested one of the suspects from the recently published narcotics “Most Wanted” list.

Detectives said several tips came in about Charles Montgomery Fitzgerald, leading them to find Fitzgerald Friday in a trailer park on Borders Road in Shelby. Fitzgerald was living with his girlfriend and going by the alias “Johnny Black,” detectives said.

“We are thankful for the tips that were called in through our drug tip line and Crime Stoppers. Those tips allowed us to zero in on the area he was staying and confirm he was there, ultimately making the arrest,” said Lt. Jon Propst of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office of Narcotics.

Fitzgerald, 59, formerly of Fitzgerald Stowe Lane in Lincolnton, was charged with one felony count each of manufacturing methamphetamine, trafficking meth, possession with intent to distribute meth precursors, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances and possession of meth, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, officials said.

He was also served with an outstanding Order for Arrest. He received a no bond hold for the felony charges and an additional $500 secured bond for the Order for Arrest.

Fitzgerald’s bond for the meth charges will be determined by a Lincoln County Superior Court judge Monday.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of anyone on the Most Wanted list is asked to contact the drug tip line at 704-736-8422 or Crime Stoppers at 704-736-8909. Callers can remain anonymous. If information provided to Crime Stoppers leads to an arrest, the caller could receive a reward of up to $1,000. All leads are investigated.

This story was originally published January 31, 2016 at 10:02 AM with the headline "Lincoln County arrests suspect from ‘Most Wanted’ narcotics list."