Morven fire chief William N. Stubbs is now at the center of the kind of criminal case most small towns only read about. Investigators say the longtime volunteer leader trafficked opioids and used explosives to burn an abandoned home in rural Anson County. Authorities further allege Stubbs had a revolver despite a prior felony conviction and now faces multiple state felony counts, including trafficking, malicious use of explosives and conspiracy. The accusations have rattled the volunteer department he led and triggered a broader review by state and local law enforcement partners.
As reported by WSOC, the Anson County Sheriffs Office said the arrest capped an investigation that came to a head on April 27, when deputies took Stubbs into custody and filed charges. The agency says he was booked on counts that include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony trafficking in opioids, two counts of malicious use of explosives causing property damage and three counts of felony conspiracy. Investigators told WSOC they expect additional arrests as the probe continues.
Alleged arson and narcotics evidence
Court documents and local reporting allege that in February Stubbs conspired to burn an abandoned residence on Peru Road in Morven, using an incendiary device and ignitable liquid, as detailed by WCNC. Those same reports say deputies seized roughly 20 grams of opioid pills and a revolver during the investigation. WCNC also notes Stubbs has a prior felony conviction dating to February 21, 1995, in Scotland County, which officials say would bar him from possessing a firearm.
His role in the volunteer department
State records list William N. Stubbs as chief of the Morven Volunteer Fire Department, in a directory entry maintained by the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal. The North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal directory includes the department's contact information and shows Stubbs as the listed chief as of the agency's April report. In a town where emergency services are tightly knit and largely volunteer, residents and local officials say allegations against a department leader can send shockwaves well beyond the firehouse.
Investigation, bond and partners
Local court records show Stubbs was issued a combined $42,500 secured bond after his arrest, and reporting indicates he posted that bond. WSOC reported that the investigation has drawn in a roster of agencies, including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the North Carolina Department of Insurance, the Anson County Fire Marshal's Office, the Charlotte Fire Department and the North Carolina Forest Service Law Enforcement Branch. Authorities say the probe remains active and that additional arrests are possible.
Legal implications
The charges carry significant consequences under state law: trafficking in opiates and opioids is a felony under N.C.G.S. 9095, and malicious injury or damage by use of explosives is addressed in Chapter 14 of the North Carolina General Statutes. See N.C.G.S. 9095 and Chapter 14 for the statutory language. At this point, the allegations remain at the charging stage and have not been proven in court.
Reporters say they are still seeking comment from Morven town officials and the volunteer department while prosecutors and detectives continue their review of the evidence. Queen City News noted it was working to confirm Stubbs' employment status with the department and that upcoming court dockets will show the next steps in the case in the coming weeks. This story will be updated as additional public records and court filings become available.
