Murphy Man Charged With Felony Meth Possession After Stop in Brasstown

Clay County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

On 10/19/26 around 4:00 PM Clay County Sheriff Mark Buchanan and Chief Deputy Tyler Faggard noted a white Dodge pickup truck pulling a car hauler trailer that was loaded with another vehicle. This truck was traveling east on Old Hwy 64 in Brasstown. Chief Deputy Faggard noted the driver to be Samuel Jason Murrin, 46 years of age from Murphy. Chief Deputy Faggard was aware that Murrin had a suspended driver’s license.

The truck driven by Murrin stopped at a wide spot on the shoulder of the road near 10456 Old Hwy 64. Chief Deputy Faggard and Sheriff Buchanan immediately pulled in behind the truck and activated their vehicle’s emergency lights. Murrin and his son, who was a passenger in the truck, immediately got out and walked toward the front of the truck.

Chief Deputy Faggard told Murrin why he was being stopped. Murrin was noted to be pacing back and forth and putting his hands in and out of his pockets creating a safety concern. When asked, Murrin said he had a pocketknife in his pocket. During a subsequent safety frisk, a pocketknife and a pipe used to ingest methamphetamine were recovered from Murrin’s person. Based on the discovery of the pipe, probable cause existed to conduct a more detailed search of Murrin’s person.

During a further search of Murrin, Chief Deputy Faggard found a cigarette pack that contained a small plastic baggy containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine. Clay County Lt. Brandon Coker and N.C. Trooper Wilson arrived at the scene to provide assistance. Lt. Coker assumed investigative responsibilities concerning the methamphetamine and pipe that were recovered. Trooper Wilson issued citations relating to Murrin’s operation of his truck on the roadway.

Murrin was arrested and charged with felony Possession of Methamphetamine, felony Maintaining a Vehicle for Drugs, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Once to the Clay County Detention Center, Magistrate Michael Anderson issued Murrin a $25,000 secured bond for his release.  

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