A former Mecklenburg County Superior Court judge, Charles “Casey” Viser, was arrested early Monday morning after Charlotte-Mecklenburg police discovered cocaine and drug paraphernalia during a routine traffic stop on Highway 74.
According to official reports, officers pulled over 53-year-old Viser for allegedly displaying a fictitious license plate on his black Mercedes SUV. During the stop, law enforcement officers reportedly noticed an open container of alcohol on the passenger-side floorboard and searched the vehicle.
The search uncovered approximately 0.2 grams of a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine, along with a straw bearing white residue found near the center console. Officers also discovered an empty jar with similar residue inside Viser’s pocket.
Viser was taken into custody and charged with felony cocaine possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Mecklenburg County Jail and later released after posting a $2,500 bond. He appeared before a judge on Tuesday and was appointed a public defender. His next court appearance is set for May 2.
Viser, a once-prominent legal figure, was originally appointed to judicial roles by then-Governor Pat McCrory in 2013 and 2015. He later secured an eight-year term on the bench in the 2020 election. However, he unexpectedly resigned in July 2022, less than halfway through his term.
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