Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield, barred from the association since 2009 for a failed drug test, was arrested at his western North Carolina home and charged with possession of methamphetamine, and police said Wednesday he might face more charges.
Mayfield was arrested Tuesday night and charged possessing 1.5 grams of meth, according to records from the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. The 42-year-old Mayfield posted $3,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in district court Wednesday. A call to the clerk's office in Newton was not immediately returned Wednesday.
Detectives from neighboring Lincoln County said roughly $100,000 worth of items that belonged to businesses in that county also were found at Mayfield's home, and they plan to charge him with possession of stolen goods.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office says Mayfield had heavy equipment parts, welders and welding accessories, truck parts, an engraving machine and other items that they say were reported stolen from two businesses in late 2010 and early 2011.
An attorney for Mayfield said his client denies all the charges, and the search was executed based on ''baseless allegations by an unreliable source.''
''Mr. Mayfield has no knowledge of either stolen property or methamphetamine being present on his property and denies the accusation that he was in possession of methamphetamine or any other illegal drug and he denies any suggestion that he knowingly received or possessed stolen property,'' said Daniel Marino, a Washington, DC-based attorney.
''Mr. Mayfield and his attorneys are cooperating with the authorities and they look forward to this matter being resolved quickly. In the meantime, Mr. Mayfield asks that the public reserve its judgment on this matter.''
The former Sprint Cup driver was suspended from NASCAR in May 2009 after failing a random drug test. Mayfield denied he was using an illegal drug, but NASCAR said he tested positive for methamphetamines.
In unsuccessful legal challenges to his suspension, Mayfield said his positive test stemmed from a mix of an over-the-counter allergy medication and the prescription drug Adderall.
''Having just heard and read the news about the Jeremy Mayfield incident, we will have to see how the facts play out,'' NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said in an email message. ''NASCAR's goal in its substance abuse program has always been to keep competitors safe and create treatment opportunities for those who need it.''
