Deputies: 2 arrested on drug charges, man's bond set to $2.5M

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A Rowan County resident, with a history of drug trafficking charges, was arrested by the Rowan County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, according to the Rowan County Sheriff's Office. 

Brandon Lee Rumple, 19, was arrested, along with his girlfriend, Tasha Nichole Simpson, 25, on a variety of drug-related charges. 

The Rowan County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit and the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Unit received information that Rumple, who was out on more than $1,000,000 in bonds, was making frequent trips to an area of Charlotte, known as a distribution point for heroin. 

Deputies set up surveillance around Rumple's home. They followed a Honda that they said was driven by Simpson with Rumple as a passenger.

Police said the occupants realized they were under surveillance and violated multiple traffic laws. When deputies tried to stop the Honda, they said Rumple threw a powdery substance out the passenger window as well as a plastic bag.

The Honda made its way to 504 Carter Street, where Rumple got out of the car and threw a bag to his father, Christopher Todd Rumple, who came out of the residence, while the deputy was attempting to apprehend the occupants of the Honda, according to officials. 

Immediately, Todd Rumple ran inside the house and shut the door.  Todd Rumple later admitted to deputies that he had flushed the bag down the toilet, deputies said.

Deputies were able to recover some of the powder from Brandon Rumple's face, clothing and the passenger side of the vehicle. 
Additionally, deputies located a torn plastic bag on Earl Street that still contained approximately two grams of a tan powder, which tested positive for MDMA, a Schedule I controlled substance.  About $1,200 was found in the vehicle. 

In a search of Simpson, deputies found 12 grams of black tar heroin, located in the crotch area, deputies said. Simpson is over eight months pregnant. 

Brandon Rumple was charged with possess with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver MDMA; resist, delay and obstruct a public officer; alter and destroy evidence; and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Rumple's bond was set at $2.5 million.

Tasha Simpson was charged with trafficking heroin (two counts); possess with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver heroin; fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement; and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Simpson's bond was set at $250,000.

Additional charges will be filed in the investigation.    

WSOC