RCSO: Man wanted for assaulting cop in Brunswick Co. caught with meth in Richmond Co.

ROCKINGHAM — A man wanted for allegedly assaulting an officer on the coast is facing drug charges in Richmond County.

According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Hatcher Road on Saturday, May 11.

The reason for the initial stop isn’t given.

As the first deputy was talking to the driver of the vehicle, a second deputy arrived and began speaking to the passenger who “seemed very nervous,” according to the sheriff’s office.

The passenger, 32-year-old Edwin Jordan Waters III, of Fayetteville, reportedly complied and handed over his ID when asked.

After checking Waters’ information, deputies reportedly learned that he had an outstanding warrant charging him with felony assault with physical injury to a law enforcement officer from the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.

Waters was then taken into custody, according to the sheriff’s office. During a pat down, a deputy reportedly found a green container in his pocket containing an unspecified quantity of methamphetamine.

According to the sheriff’s office, Waters was charged with a felony count of possession of methamphetamine and booked into the Richmond County Jail without bond.

Online jail records show Waters now has a $20,000 secured bond for the drug charge, but is still being held without bond on the out-of-county assault charge.

Online court records show Waters is scheduled to appear in a Richmond County court May 30 on the drug charge.

Waters also has the following court dates on the following charges:

• May 28 (Brunswick County): Felony assault with physical injury on a law enforcement, probation or parole officer – Brunswick County
• June 3 (Brunswick County): resisting a public officer; assault on a female; second-degree trespassing; possession of marijuana paraphernalia
• June 13 (Brunswick County): possession of methamphetamine; resisting a public officer; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of marijuana paraphernalia; driving while license revoked
• July 7 (Columbus County): driving while license revoked; additional lighting equipment violation

Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Waters was given a 24-month suspended sentence on May 6 when he was convicted of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance in Duplin County.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.