On the morning of March 1st, 2022, Yancey and Mitchell County Sheriff’s Offices joined forces to remove more drugs off our streets. The Sheriff’s Office had received a report of a vehicle, which was in Mitchell County at the time, had been reported to be carrying illegal substances. Officers were familiar with the vehicle because of several previous encounters in the past. Mitchell County officers reported the vehicle was heading toward Yancey County.
When the vehicle crossed into Yancey County near the county line on State Highway 197 North the car was stopped for displaying a fictitious license plate.
The driver of the vehicle, Kayla Penland Ledford, was charged with Felony Possession Methamphetamine, Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Felony Possession with intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Simple Possession Schedule IV Controlled Substance, Displaying Fictitious Tag, and Felony Probation Violation.
The passenger of the vehicle, Adam Ray Mathis, had an outstanding Order for Arrest on Failure to Appear on Misdemeanor and was also charged with Possession Drug Paraphernalia.
Penland is being held in the Yancey County Detention Center on a $70,000 bond. Mathis is also being held on a $3,000 bond.
“One way we can get these drugs off our streets, is working together with our neighboring counties” says Sheriff Shane Hilliard. “Sheriff Street has always been willing to work in collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office in Yancey County. Yancey and Mitchell County Sheriff’s Offices will continue to support each other to achieve the goal of safer communities.”
