911 Call Leads to Drug Charges for Hayesville Woman

Clay County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

On 04/01/26 around 10:38 AM Clay County Sheriff’s Lt. Bruce Moore, Sgt. Ethan Henderson, and Investigator JJ Wooten responded to the Hot Spot Convenient Store in Hayesville after receiving a report of a woman passed out in a car at the drive-thru window.

Carolina Star Nicholson, 33 years of age from Hayesville, was found to be at that location and in the driver’s seat of Nissan Altima with a Texas license plate. Nicholson was removed from the car after being suspected of being under the influence of an intoxicating substance other than alcohol. Investigator Wooten recognized Nicholson and knew her to have previously been involved with illicit drugs. The Nissan was subsequently searched by consent. A black pouch was found within the console area of the car.

This pouch contained a small clear plastic box, a red straw, and multiple baggy corners containing a purple powdery substance that field tested positive for Fentanyl. When questioned, Nicholson told Officers that the substances were heroin. Nicholson was arrested and charged with two counts of Trafficking In Fentanyl and held without bond.

Trafficking of illegal drugs in North Carolina mandates active prison sentences after a person has been convicted.