A Watauga man faces multiple charges after police said they found crack cocaine and a gun while executing a search warrant at his home early Monday morning.
Christopher Marquis Cearnal, 38, 157 Smalling Road, Watauga, was arrested shortly before 3 a.m. Monday by Carter County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Brian Durham and charged with the sale of Schedule II drugs, possession of Schedule II drugs for resale, possession of Schedule VI drugs, maintaining a dwelling where narcotics are sold, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying or possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
The investigation leading up to Cearnal’s arrest began Friday, CCSD Deputy Myles Cook said. On that day, police used a confidential informant to buy crack cocaine from Cearnal at his home, Cook said.
Cook and members of the sheriff’s department’s SWAT Team returned to Cearnal’s home Monday morning around 2:45 a.m. to execute a search warrant at the residence. Elizabethton Police Department Cpl. Sarah Ellison and her K-9 partner, Kero, assisted in the search.
During the search, police found crack cocaine, marijuana, a .25-caliber handgun with ammunition and drug paraphernalia including scales and pipes, Cook said. Police seized Cearnal’s car and $1,211 in cash, Cook said.
Cearnal was booked into the Carter County Detention Center and was released later Monday morning after posting a $15,000 bond.