Warne Woman Arrested on Drug Charges

Clay County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

On 03/21/26 around midnight Clay County Officer Sean Stout, with K-9 Freya, was on routine patrol out Old US Hwy 64 west in Clay County when he observed a white Nissan truck traveling without an illuminated tag light. Officer Stout stopped the truck at the intersection of Ford Road and Old US Hwy 64 west.  

Tammy Michelle Borchardt, 55 years of age from Warne, was found to be driving the Nissan. Samantha Taylor Borchardt, 28 years of age also from Warne, was found to be a passenger within the truck. Clay County Officer Nate Rogers and N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Eric Watson soon arrived to assist with this traffic stop. While Officer Rogers began writing the appropriate traffic citations, Officer Stout deployed his K-9 Freya around the outside of the truck. Freya gave a positive indication for narcotics near a toolbox located behind the driver’s door of the Nissan. A probable cause search of the truck was begun.

A pink backpack was found in the toolbox behind the driver’s door. A semi-transparent orange prescription bottle was found within the backpack. The prescription bottle contained four pill halves believed to be Hydrocodone and a sizable chunk of a clear crystalline substance that field tested positive as methamphetamine. A clear baggy containing marijuana was also found within the backpack. After locating the methamphetamine, Clay County Lt. Investigator Brandon Coker was called to the scene.

Tammy confessed that the backpack was hers. Tammy was arrested and charged with felony Possession of Methamphetamine and felony Maintaining a Vehicle for Drugs. Tammy was issued a $10,000 secured bond for her release.  

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