Trafficking amounts of meth found after officials respond to overdose call

The following is an official release from the Town of Murphy Police Department.  All suspects are presume innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On April 15th, 2019, at approximately 11:58 am, the Cherokee County 911 Dispatch Center received a call in reference to an unknown problem occurring at the Days Inn, located at 754 Hwy. 64 West here in Murphy. The Telecommunicator was able to determine that a heroin overdose had occurred according to the information given by the reporting party at the time. After arriving on scene, Cherokee County EMS was able to assist in the recovery of the person who had overdosed, Mr. Brian John Majercik.

Upon Patrol Officer Brandon R. Morgan arriving on scene to assist, shortly thereafter joined by Assistant Chief Dustin D. Smith and Patrol Sgt. T. Ryan Cunningham, consent was given by the other party involved, Ms. Leslie Marie Cartwright, for a search of the room and their motor vehicle. During this time a large amount of Methamphetamine and Marijuana was located. Ms. Cartwright was then placed under arrest for her various offenses and their motor vehicle, a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, was towed from the area. Mr. Majercik was transported by ambulance to Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital for treatment. However, Mr. Majercik was arrested later the same afternoon at a residence in the Dogwood Estates area after being released from the hospital.

On April 16th, 2019, a search warrant was executed on the defendant's motor vehicle listed above that had been stored at the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. In total, 939 grams of Methamphetamine and 165 grams of Marijuana was seized, as well as other drug related paraphernalia.

Mr. Majercik was charged with the following offenses: Traffic In Methamphetamine (2 Counts), Possess With Intent To Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine, Maintain Place Controlled Substance and Possess With Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver Marijuana.

Mr. Majercik is currently being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $560,000.00 secured bond. He has an initial court date on April 25th, 2019, at 9:00 am.

Ms. Cartwright was charged with the following offenses: Traffic In Methamphetamine (2 Counts), Possess With Intent To Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine, Maintain Place Controlled Substance and Possess With Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver Marijuana.

Ms. Cartwright is currently being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $560,000.00 secured bond. She has an initial court date on April 25th, 2019, at 9:00 am.

Both Mr. Majercik and Ms. Cartwright gave Murphy, NC, addresses. Their inmate profiles can be found on the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office website under their In Custody link. Due to the pending investigation in this matter, this is all the information that can be released at this time.

"I want to thank all assisting law enforcement officers and commend all of the other public safety agencies involved in this matter. Taking this amount of Methamphetamine off of the streets will have a drastic effect on the current drug problem that we experience here in Cherokee County and surrounding areas. However, it will be short lived."

"We count on the public to report any and all drug related or suspicious activities that they may witness to their local law enforcement agency. Unfortunately, we all have been directly or indirectly touched by someone, whether a family member or friend, experiencing a drug or substance abuse problem. We continually strive to make this a better and safer place to live and work by arresting any and all individuals responsible for this problem."

​Thank You, 
Justin J. Jacobs
Chief of Police