South Carolina Resident Faces Methamphetamine Charges Following Traffic Stop On East King Street In Kinston

Ryan Penny, 28, was charged with felony methamphetamine possession after a Kinston traffic stop. He is held at the Lenoir County Jail on a $3,000 bond.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 9:54 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from WITN

Monday Traffic Enforcement Leads To Narcotics Discovery

A routine traffic stop in Kinston resulted in the arrest of an out of state man on felony drug charges yesterday afternoon. Kinston Police Department officers initiated a stop on a vehicle operated by 28 year old Ryan Penny on East King Street. While the initial reason for the stop involved specific traffic violations, the encounter quickly shifted into a narcotics investigation. During a search of the vehicle, officers reportedly located a quantity of methamphetamine along with various items of drug paraphernalia. Penny, a resident of South Carolina, was taken into custody at the scene without further incident.

Suspect Booked Into Lenoir County Jail On Multiple Counts

Following his arrest, Penny was transported to the Lenoir County Jail for processing. Official charging documents indicate that he faces one count of possession of methamphetamine and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, in addition to the original traffic citations. Methamphetamine possession is classified as a felony in North Carolina, carrying potential prison time depending on the quantity and the defendant's prior criminal history. The Kinston Police Department has not released details regarding the total weight of the narcotics seized during the Monday encounter.

Bond Set At $3,000 Following Initial Magistration

A magistrate set Penny’s bond at $3,000 secured following his booking into the county facility. As a resident of South Carolina, Penny may face additional scrutiny regarding his flight risk during upcoming court appearances. The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that he remains in custody as of Tuesday morning. Traffic stops on major corridors like East King Street are a primary method used by local law enforcement to intercept the transport of illicit substances through the region, particularly involving individuals traveling from neighboring states.