Hayesville Man Faces Meth Charges

Clay County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

On 11/26/25 around 9:00 AM Clay County Investigator Brandon Coker stopped a Ford Escape on NC Hwy 69 near the Tri County Office Supply in Hayesville. The Escort was stopped because Investigator Coker learned from Clay County Dispatch that it had an insurance stop and the assigned license plate that was revoked.

Investigator Coker was also familiar with the registered owner of the Escort, Thomas Walter Stewart, 58 years of age from Hayesville. Clay County Investigator Steven Smith and his K-9, Luca, soon arrived to the scene of this traffic stop. Officer Smith deployed Luca around the Escort after which Luca made a positive alert for drugs.

A probable cause search of the Escort yielded a small clear plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Stewart was arrested and charged with felony Possession of Methamphetamine.

Stewart was held under a $5000 secured bond for his release.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.