BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. — A St. Stephen man was arrested Thursday after deputies found drugs and a weapon during a traffic stop on Mendel Rivers Road.
Arrest Details
Michael Bradford Lipsey, 36, is facing charges of trafficking between four and 14 grams of fentanyl and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Deputies had recognized Lipsey from previous interactions and knew he was driving with a suspended license, prompting them to initiate the traffic stop.
Lipsey did not immediately pull over, but after a short delay, deputies made contact with him and discovered a clear plastic bag in his pocket. Lipsey initially claimed the substance inside was heroin, but a field test revealed it was fentanyl. The bag contained approximately 5.46 grams of the drug.
Weapon Discovery
In addition to the drugs, deputies found a Glock handgun inside Lipsey’s vehicle. He was arrested and taken to the Hill-Finklea Detention Center, where he is being held on a $50,000 bond.
