Sheriff Kevin H. Bean announced on March 24, 2026, the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office I.C.E. Unit with assistance from the Granite Falls Police Department and Lenoir Police Department made arrests on two Methamphetamine traffickers.
Krystal Leigh Horner, age 50, of Collettsville was arrested and charged with multiple counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine and Maintaining a Vehicle for Narcotics. She was placed in the Caldwell Detention Center under no bond.
Heather Marie Payne, age 37, of Granite Falls was arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Trafficking in Methamphetamine. She was placed in the Caldwell Detention Center under no bond.
On March 24, 2026, Horner and Payne were stopped while traveling on Duke Street by Granite Falls Police Detectives. During the interaction, K-9 Raven of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted and Officers located approximately 40 grams of Methamphetamine.
The drugs seized during the investigation has a total street value of $6,000 according to North Carolina State Drug Guidelines.
“This was a great team effort between agencies. This arrest is directly related to an arrest 3 weeks ago, when over 220 grams of methamphetamine was seized. These two are part of a methamphetamine distribution ring that is crumbling. More arrests are coming.” – Sheriff Kevin H. Bean
The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office is always in search of any information involving the use and distribution of illegal controlled substances. A concerned citizen’s information and assistance will be kept confidential.
If you have any information concerning illegal drug activity in Caldwell County, please contact the:
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office I.C.E. Unit at 828-757-1178.
Lenoir Police Department’s Narcotics Division at 828-757-2145.
Hudson Police Department at 828-728-5021.
Granite Falls Police Department at 828-396-3358.
Lenoir/Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.
