On March 3, 2026, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Team attempted to serve a felony arrest warrant on Justin Curtis Pugh at a residence on Rose Ave. in Asheboro. During the arrest, officers found a handgun in Pugh’s pocket along with suspected narcotics. The Vice Narcotics Unit and VNET were called to assist, leading to the execution of a search warrant.
Detectives reported seizing trafficking quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as marijuana, alprazolam, buprenorphine, and drug paraphernalia. Five firearms were also seized from the residence; one was listed as stolen out of Davidson County and another was identified as a weapon of mass destruction.
Justin Curtis Pugh was taken to the Randolph County Detention Center where he was served his outstanding warrant. He faces several charges: felony trafficking in heroin, felony trafficking in methamphetamine, felony possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule III controlled substance, felony possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule VI controlled substance, felony possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule IV controlled substance, felony maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substance, felony possess stolen firearm, felony possess weapon of mass destruction, felony possession of firearm by felon, misdemeanor possess drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor possess marijuana paraphernalia. No bond was set because he is currently on pre-trial release. His first court appearance is scheduled for March 4 in Randolph County District Court.
The defendant has been identified as Justin Curtis Pugh, age 38.
Recent data shows that academic readiness remains an ongoing concern in Randolph County schools. For example, among senior students taking the science portion of the ACT during the 2022-23 school year in local districts, only about 16% met college readiness benchmarks according to state education reports (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/). Similar trends are seen across other subjects such as reading and math.
