Murphy Trio Arrested for Drugs

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the March 16th, 2016 arrest of 37-year-old Joel Lee Trull, of Marble, North Carolina, 23-year-old Tasha Savannah Eller of Murphy, North Carolina and 20-year-old Breslin Drake Allen, also of Murphy, North Carolina for the illegal possession of controlled substances and child abuse.

On March 16th, 2016 a report of a truck that was sitting up in the field behind the Cherokee County Department of Social Services Building was made to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. The report also stated that there were two males who appeared to be armed and were acting suspicious.

The initial responding deputy found the vehicle which was an extended cab pickup truck. Trull and Allen along with Trull’s minor child were found to be occupants in the vehicle. With the arrival of Sheriff Palmer, Chief Deputy Thigpen and investigators, a search of the vehicle was made which found a quantity of methamphetamine, marijuana, as well as paraphernalia. During the search, it was found that syringes and methamphetamine were sitting in a bag within arm’s reach of Trull’s minor child. Eller was located at the Social Services building where she was transacting business.

Trull was arrested and charged with MISDEMEANOR CHILD ABUSE, POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESS MARIJUANA PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE, SIMPLE POSSESS SCH VI CS. Trull was set a $10,000.00 unsecure bond and was released and is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County District Court on March 30th , 2016.

Eller and Allen were also arrested and charged with POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE, SIMPLE POSSESS SCH VI CS. Both were released on a $5,000.00 unsecure bond each and both are scheduled to appear on March 30th, 2016.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “These people are no stranger to the justice system for violations of the controlled substance laws. It is our duty to continue to protect our community and especially areas like the Department of Social Services so that it is safe for our children. This demonstrates the continued disregard for the safety of children when you have drugs and needles so close in proximity them.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages any one that has information on this crime or any other to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.