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LINCOLNTON, N.C. – A Lincoln County man is in custody after leading Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies and other agencies on a vehicle chase through North Carolina and South Carolina.

On January 13, 2024 at approximately 11 p.m. Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a vehicle traveling U.S. 321 displaying a fictitious license plate.  The vehicle exited Highway 321 at the High Shoals exit and came to a stop.  As deputies approached, the driver sped away traveling south on Highway 321.

Deputies pursued the vehicle into Gaston County where Dallas Police and Gaston County officers took over the pursuit.  The vehicle turned onto I-85 South and entered South Carolina where officers there took over the pursuit.  Approximately 17 miles from the Georgia state line, South Carolina authorities deployed stop sticks puncturing the tires on the suspect vehicle and bringing it to a stop.

The suspect, identified as Jesse Michael Waterson, 41, of Iron Station, NC, refused to exit the vehicle and officers had to break a window and deploy a K-9 to assist with the arrest.  The vehicle was seized and returned to Lincoln County and a search warrant was executed.  During the search of the vehicle a firearm was located attached to a magnet under the steering wheel.  A small amount of what is believed to be a controlled substance was seized and will be sent to the state lab for testing.

On January 18, 2024, Jesse Michael Waterson waived extradition and was returned to Lincoln County where he was charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license revoked, and displaying a fictitious registration plate.  Waterson was placed in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a no bond hold.

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