Magistrate gives bonds to 2 of 6 men arrested during FBI investigation in Cherryville

CHERRYVILLE, N.C. — Of the six men arrested in the FBI's investigation of alleged corruption within the Cherryville Police Department, only two have the chance to go home.

A federal magistrate gave $50,000 bonds to Trey Mauney and John Hendricks.

The other four arrested this week remain held without bond.

Outside the courthouse Friday afternoon, their friends and relatives said accusations that they provided armed protection for stolen goods can't be true.

“I can tell you this is impossible for them,” said Melanie Anthony, a friend of the defendants. “I think they thought they were providing a service for this truck driver. And I don’t think the FBI should be finished with their investigation.”

Friday in court, Eyewitness News learned the FBI isn't finished.

Agent Eric Davis testified the FBI is still looking at multiple accusations made against Frankie Dellinger. In addition to allegedly providing armed protection for stolen goods, the FBI says Dellinger offered to drive the goods himself, asked undercover officers to front him a kilo of cocaine and may have stolen property from the homes of people whose lawns he mowed on the side.

Dellinger's attorney, Roderick Wright, said he's waiting to see what evidence federal prosecutors have.

“We'll go one step at a time,” Wright said.

“But has Mr. Dellinger said he didn’t do this?” Eyewitness News asked.

“Again, we tendered pleas of not guilty to all the charges today,” Wright said.

WSOC