Operation Medicine Drop Collects Over 495 Pounds of Medication

Law enforcement officers in Charlotte took up over 495 pounds of prescription medications in part of Operation Medicine Drop. The program is designed to keep children, teens, and adults from taking the medication and to combat prescription drug abuse, including education on proper disposal.

After it is collected, Charlotte-Mecklenburg's team properly dispose of the medicines. This has benefits of the traditional methods, like flushing medicine down the toilet or throwing medicine away. According to authorities, those methods can allow the drugs to find their way into the local water supply.

For over three years, Operation Medicine Drop has encountered great success, collecting over hundreds of thousands of pounds of prescription medications that were either old or otherwise unneeded.

Lancaster County Traffic Stop Results in Drug Bust

Lepoleon Hall

A Lancaster County traffic stop resulted in a large drug arrest last Thursday, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office. The checkpoint was set up on Zion Road near Highway 200.

Thirty-five year-old Lepoleon Hall was arrested after officers found a pound of marijuana, a loaded handgun, and approximately 277 grams of cocaine. Authorities searched Hall after he was caught driving on a suspended license for the second time.

Hall was charged with trafficking cocaine, intent to distribute marijuana, unlawful carrying of a handgun, and 2nd offense driving under suspension. He was transporting drugs with a total street value of around $28,500.
Hall is currently jailed in Lancaster County without bond.

Mother Crashes into CATS Bus While on Drugs, Infant Son Ejected

On Friday afternoon, a woman was driving her car while under the influence of drugs and caused a car crash that ejected her 2 year-old son from the car.

According to CMPD, Meeyung Park was driving her 2001 Chrysler 300M north on South Tryon Street. At about 3:30 Friday afternoon, Park hit another car before running into a stopped CATS bus and then hitting the median. The accident occurred ner South Tryon's intersection with Kingman Drive, which is near I-77's interchange with Billy Graham Parkway.

During the accident, Park's son, Anthony Lucente, was ejected from the vehicle's back seat and sustained serious injuries. Lucente was in stable condition and is expected to recover. Along with Lucente, his mother and grandmother were transported to Carolinas Medical Center.

At the time of the crash, the CATS bus had seven passengers, one of which was taken to a local hospital. After an initial investigation, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police determined that the child was not property fastened in his car seat. Police also determined that drugs and speed were factors in the accident.

Park is being charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, two felony counts of serious injury by vehicle, a child restraint violation, and failure to reduce speed.

The investigation into this accident is ongoing, and police have asked anyone with information on this incident to contact Detective R.C. Gormican directly by calling (704) 432-2169.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective R.C. Gormican at 704-432-2169.

CMPD on Lookout for Suspect in University-Area Robbery

Zohaib Khan

Authorities in Charlotte are trying to locate the suspect in an armed robbery in the University area that took place on August 26. Twenty year-old Zohaib Khan is accused of using a pistol to rob an 18 year-old man during a drug deal.

The victim admitted that he had traveled to the Piedmont of Ivy Meadow apartments to buy drugs from Khan. The apartments are off of Old Concord Road near its intersection with East W.T. Harris Boulevard.

CMPD has released a photo of Khan from 2010 and announced that he could be in the areas of Charlotte, Kannapolis, or Concord. Khan is described as being 5'7" tall and weighing around 150 pounds. If you have any information as to Khan's whereabouts, you are encouraged to call CMPD's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) at (703) 336-8228.

Troopers Find Drugs, Cash in Granite Falls Motorcycle Wreckage

Last week, CrimeInCharlotte.com released a report about a motorcycle wreck which killed two people in Granite Falls.

Investigators have now disclosed that a hidden compartment was found on the wrecked motorcycle. In the compartment was a quantity of methamphetamine, $1,700 cash, and two scales.

John Franklin, 35, and Allison Nixon, 22, were both killed when the motorcycle they were riding struck an SUV while  riding in excess of 100 mph. Franklin was a key witness for the prosecution in a case against Jeremy Mayfield, a former NASCAR driver.

According to the NC Highway Patrol, the money from the hidden compartment has been turned over to the state in order to pay taxes on the methamphetamine that was found.

Iredell County Authorities Arrest Catawba Man for Smuggling Drugs

Kenneth Wane Ryckley

Thirty-three year-old Kenneth Wayne Ryckley was arrested by Iredell County's Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team after he sold drugs to an undercover officer. Ryckley, a resident of Catawba, sold 15 grams of crack cocaine to a police officer and was arrested immediately after the transaction. Police value the drugs at around $6,000.

The arrest comes as the result of an investigation in which narcotics detectives determined that Ryckley was transporting drugs into Iredell County from Charlotte. Ryckley is jailed in Iredell County under a $25,000 bond. He faces charges including the sale and delivery of cocaine as well as maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances.

Rowan Deputies Find 40 Pounds of Marijuana While Executing Search Warrant

 Ismael Garcia Gonzalez 

After Rowan County Sheriffs executed a search warrant in Kannapolis, 31 year-old Ismael Garcia Gonzalez was arrested for drug trafficking after 40 pounds of marijuana were found in his home.

The house is located on the 200 block of Russell Farm Road. Officers searched the residence Wednesday and say the drugs they found have a value of around $40,000.

As Gonzalez was held without bond, he is still in the Rowan County Detention Center. Police have charged him with trafficking marijuana and placed an immigration hold on Gonzalez. This means that whatever the outcome of his trial and sentencing, he will be transferred to immigration detention upon his release.

Albemarle Raid Produces Illegal Bath Salts, 2 Arrests

 Jesse Levi Menefee

The execution of a search warrant in Albemarle produced two arrests and a slew of charges in an illegal drug outfit.

Albemarle police, working in collaboration with the Stanly County Sheriff's Office, executed a search warrant at The Back Room, a tattoo parlor located on the 800 block of North 2nd Street in Albemarle. The shop sits across the street from a children's daycare.

Among the items seized from The Back Room were 177 grams of bath salts valued at around $12,000 on the street, over 4,000 grams if synthetic marijuana with a street value of over $60,000, and 211 grams of Salvia, valued at over $5,000 on the street. An assortment of drug paraphernalia was also recovered.

The search warrant comes as the result of several complaints about the sale of illegal bath salts from the shop. Local residents as well as those in the law enforcement and medical fields all voiced their concern leading up to the search.

Alice Deaton

Police arrested Jesse Levi Menefee, the shop's owner. He now faces over 12 felony charges related to the sale, possession, and delivery of the drugs seized. He also faces a charge for sale and delivery of the drugs within 300 feet of a child development center. Menefee is being jailed in Stanly County under a $553,000 bond.

Also arrested was Alice Deaton, an employee of The Back Room. She was charged with possession of cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Deaton posted a $1,000 bond and was released.

Both Menefee and Deaton have a first appearance in court on September 17.

Drug Operation Leader Sentenced to Prison Time

Twenty-eight year-old Adam Keith Jones was sentenced to prison time Monday on charges of distributing drugs.

Jones was charged with possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. He was sentenced to prison for almost 11 years. Authorities have accused Jones of being the leader of an operation spanning three NC counties and at least three other states.

The group distributed drugs over a five-year period from 2005 to 2010 by filling prescriptions they had acquired. Their operation included Iredell, Watauga, and Alexander counties, but the group also worked throughout Florida, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Authorities used searches, undercover activity, and license checks to produce over $33,000 in cash, multiple firearms, three automobiles, and almost 2,000 prescription tablets from the drug ring. Seven others involved were sentenced in the same case, five of which were from North Carolina.

Gaston County Police Arrest Three People on Drug Charges

Gaston County police arrested three people Wednesday for various drug offenses after all three sold drugs to confidential informants.

Kerry Lamont Clay

Thirty-six year-old Kerry Lamont Clay of Bessemer City faces 10 charges related to the sale, possession, and manufacturing of cocaine. Clay was jailed in Gaston County on a $75,000 bond.

Rozanna Nash

Thirty-two year-old Rozanna Nash, also of Bessemer City, is charged with 15 drug charges including possession, distribution, and conspiracy to maintain a dwelling for cocaine. Nash was jailed in Gaston County under a $50,000 bond.

Tony Carl Harrison

Fifty-six year-old Tony Carl Harrison of Kings Mountain is facing 16 drug-related charges including trafficking, selling, and manufacturing marijuana and heroin. Harrison was arrested Wednesday but was released from Gaston County jail on an unsecured bond.

SC Mother Attempts Convenience Store Robbery While Holding Infant Daughter

Ashley Marie Burns, 23, was arrested in York, SC Tuesday for robbing a convenience store while holding her infant daughter. Burns is being charged with armed robbery, unlawful neglect of a child, and possession of crack cocaine.

According to reports, Burns entered McCray's Convenience Store on Liberty Street with her daughter and another man. Once inside, she asked the two clerks inside for $40 while her male companion was in the restroom. After neither cashier agreed to give her the money, Burns claimed she was armed with a gun and stuck her hand into her purse, all while holding her 23 month-old daughter.

When the cashier closed the register, Burns left the store with her little girl and her companion. York police arrested Burns after they pulled her over while driving her white Honda. Though police never discovered a firearm, they did find crack cocaine and paraphernalia in her car.


Burns' daughter was released into the custody of her father after the incident. Burns is currently jailed in York County under a $47,000 bond.

District Attorney's Report: Heroin Traffickers Sent to Prison

Beginning Monday, August 20, 2012, and ending Monday, August 27, 2012, the DA’s Drug Prosecution Team convicted 33 defendants in Courtroom 5350 before The Honorable Linwood O. Foust, Superior Court Judge, and The Honorable H. William Constangy, Superior Court Judge. The convictions were for crimes that included possessing, selling and trafficking in illegal drugs.

Based on the structured sentencing laws in North Carolina, sentences ranged from probation to the active prison sentences of Quinton Jordan, 24, who received 26-32 months in prison for two counts of attempted trafficking in heroin, and Rudis Machuca, 45, who received 12-24 months in prison for trafficking in heroin.

District Attorney's Office News Report

Four drug defendants have jury trials; others plead guilty

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The DA’s Drug Prosecution Team prosecuted 14 defendants the week of August 6, 2012, through August 10, 2012, in Mecklenburg County Superior Court. Trials and motions were held in courtroom 5150 before The Honorable Linwood O. Foust, Superior Court Judge, and in courtroom 5130 before The Honorable Anna M. Wagoner, Superior Court Judge.

Shaneff Little, 35, was tried for one count of possession of cocaine. The jury returned a verdict of guilty. Judge Wagoner sentenced Little to 6-8 months in prison; that sentence was suspended pending Little’s successful completion of 30 months of supervised probation.

David Cook, 33, was tried for 1) possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana and 2) felony possession of marijuana. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on felony possession of marijuana and not guilty on possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana. Judge Foust sentenced Cook to 4-5 months in prison; that sentence was suspended pending his successful completion of 18 months of supervised probation.

Roxine Hassan, 21, was tried for 1) sale of marijuana and 2) possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty on sale of marijuana and was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana. Judge Wagoner declared a mistrial on the charge of possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana.

Dewayne Hemphill, 22, was tried for possession of cocaine. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

Kevin Duffy, 33, filed a motion to suppress evidence seized by law enforcement, alleging violations of his legal rights. After hearing testimony and arguments from the defense and the Assistant District Attorney, Judge Foust granted Duffy’s motion.

Claude McClinton, 32, filed a motion to suppress evidence seized by law enforcement, alleging violations of his legal rights. After hearing testimony and arguments from the defense and the Assistant District Attorney, Judge Wagoner granted McClinton’s motion. As a result, the State dismissed the case.

Clifford Martin, 32, filed a motion to suppress evidence seized by law enforcement, alleging violations of his legal rights. After hearing testimony and arguments from the defense and the Assistant District Attorney, Judge Foust granted Martin’s motion. As a result, the State
dismissed the case.

Keith Griffin, 35, filed a motion to suppress evidence seized by law enforcement, alleging violations of his legal rights. After hearing testimony and arguments from the defense and the Assistant District Attorney, Judge Foust granted Griffin’s motion.

Levi Toney, 27, filed a motion to suppress identification, alleging violations of his legal rights. After hearing testimony and arguments from the defense and the Assistant District Attorney, Judge Foust denied Toney’s motion. At the conclusion of the motion, the defendant requested a continuance, which was granted by Judge Foust. The case will proceed to trial at a later date.

Lamarcus Seabrooks, 26, filed a motion to suppress evidence seized by law enforcement, alleging violations of his legal rights. After hearing testimony and arguments from the defense and the Assistant District Attorney, Judge Wagoner denied Seabrooks’s motion. The defendant then pled guilty as charged to 1) possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, 2) felony possession of marijuana and 3) possession of drug paraphernalia. Judge Wagoner sentenced Seabrooks to two consecutive sentences of 5-6 months in prison; those sentences were suspended pending his successful completion of 30 months of supervised probation.

Four defendants pled guilty when their cases were called for trial:

Gilberto Gabino, 33, pled guilty to one count of trafficking in cocaine. Judge Wagoner sentenced Gabino to 35-42 months in prison.

Antonio Massey, 26, pled guilty to 1) possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, 2)assault on government official and 3) resisting a public officer. Judge Foust sentenced Massey to 5-6 months in prison.

Kimberly Dubose, 32, pled guilty to 1) three counts of sale of cocaine, 2) four counts of delivery of cocaine and 3) four counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine. Judge Wagoner sentenced Dubose to 3 sentences of 13-16 months in prison; those sentences were suspended pending Dubose’s successful completion of 36 months of probation. As a condition of probation, Dubose must serve 90 days in the county jail.

Cedric McCray, 31, pled guilty to possession of cocaine. Judge Wagoner sentenced him to 6-8 months in prison. That sentence was suspended pending his successful completion of 24 months of supervised probation. As one of his conditions of probation, McCray must complete the DART program.

Couple Arrested For Running Meth Lab With Children in Home

Thomas Wyatt, 37, and Julia Hvostel, 27, both of Jefferson, have been arrested on drug charges after Ashe County Sheriff's had reason to believe the couple were operating a meth lab in their home with their two small children.

They have been charged with manufacturing a control substance and maintaining a dwelling for sale and delivery of a controlled substance.

Their children were taken to Ashe Memorial Hospital before being released to the Department of Social Services.

Hvostel, the mother of the children, is being jailed under a $55,000 bond. Wyatt is the stepfather of the two children and is being jailed under a $50,000 bond. The couple still face pending charges pertaining to their children.

Union County Search Produces Drugs & Guns

In the peak of a several month-long investigation, Union County Sherriff's Office carried out search warrants Thursday which arrested several men on various drug charges.

Officers searched a residence at 3832 Winchester Road and arrested Marvin Louis Miller, 59, on a host of charges including possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Felony Maintain Dwelling to Store and Sell Controlled Substances, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The investigation was sparked by complaints from citizens of drug activity at the residence, which has a history of various complaints, ranging from drugs and stolen goods to animal complaints. Miller is currently jailed in  Union County under $100,000 bond and has a court date scheduled for October 9.

Also present during the search was Wingate resident Jessica Ann Newton, 24. She was arrested for charges unrelated to the search warrant.

Police in Stallings along with the Union County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team also carried out a search warrant in relation to drug complaints. Officers searched 3909 Privette Road in Stallings  Thursday afternoon and arrested 31 year old Tenslow Duron Lee Friday. Lee was charged with possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, sell cocaine, and deliver cocaine. The search at Lee's residence found crack cocaine as well as drug paraphernalia. He is also jailed in Union County under a $20,000 bond with an October 9 court date.

Also arrested in the search was 35 year old Anthony Ray Lee, a resident of Stallings. He was arrested on charges unrelated to the search warrant.

Missing SC Woman Connected to Charlotte Drug Dealer, Also Missing

A missing woman from James Island, NC, is believed to be connected with a Charlotte man on the run for drug charges.

Tonight at 9:00, "America's Most Wanted" is expected to feature the story on the Lifetime Channel.

Investigators say a Charlotte man wanted on federal drug charges may be linked to the case of a missing woman from Charleston.

Jessica “Emily” Gregoriev, 29, was last heard from March 19. She is believed to be the girlfriend of John Thomas Reardon of Charlotte.

Reardon, 36, is wanted for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, a felony charge. He failed to appear at a court appearance in April.

Gregoriev had reportedly planned a trip to Florida with Reardon, according to the America's Most Wanted website. Authorities are trying to determine if Gregoriev is running from law enforcement with Reardon or if she is being held against her will.

AMW describes Reardon as 6'3" in height and weighing about 220 pounds.  He has a muscular frame and is bald with at least one ear pierced and blue eyes. Gregoriev is 5'11", 145 pounds with brown eyes and hair.

Anyone with information on either person is asked to contact America's Most Wanted at (800) CrimeTV (274-6388) or the Charleston Police Department at (843) 577-7434. You can also call CrimeStoppers at (843) 554-1111.

DEA: Man Busted Possessing Drugs & Selling Chemicals to Make Methamphetamine

Raumeen Shiraz was arrested by DEA agents on July 13th after agents investigated him for months as he sold them meth making chemicals illegally over the internet.  He was also found in possession of methamphetamine at a storage unit he was seen using.

Shiraz was arrested last Friday at his father’s home on Robinhood Road, which is in the Cotswold area of Charlotte.  Law enforcement agents seized a 100-pound container of iodine from the home, which is one of several chemicals used to make methamphetamine.

At a storage unit on Park Road, authorities found a plastic bag with 315 grams of the drug, a hotplate plugged into a light fixture, several other chemicals and four guns in a black trash bag.  The storage unit was registered under the name Clarence Boddicker-- who is the name of the villain in the 1980s movie “Robocop.”  The contact number was the Mecklenburg County Jail.

Earlier this year, undercover DEA agents bought iodine crystals from Shiraz on eBay and through www.shirazlabsupply.com.   Shiraz told FBI agents that he had obtained a new business license and was doing business as Shiraz Lab Supply, according to the complaint. He told the agents he did all his transactions on the computer and made between $80,000 and $90,000 a year shipping chemicals domestically and internationally.  Shiraz is not authorized to ship the chemicals.  Raumeen Shiraz is listed as a contact person for a business called “Reagents for Chemicals,” which sells wholesale chemicals on the Internet.

In May, FBI agents began following Shiraz. They saw him mail packages from a post office near his home.  Agents also followed him to a storage unit.  After leaving, agents say, he engaged “in a series of what appeared to be counter-surveillance maneuvers.”    Obviously not good enough...

Dumb Criminals: Men Report Stolen Drugs to Police

WBTV News reported that two men flagged down a police officer on Marmion Rd to report that two men robbed them of their cocaine and marijuana stash and $1,100.

WBTV stated the police report said the so called "victims"- a 65-year old man and 36-year-old man told police two unknown suspects were invited into the home after they knocked at the door.

After the suspects were inside, they robbed the victims at gunpoint. The report also mentioned the two victims were under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time of the robbery and sustained minor injuries.

Police said that the two victims were not charged even though they told officers they had drugs stolen.

DA: Heroin Trafficker Convicted; Other Drug Offenders Plead Guilty

The District Attorney’s Drug Prosecution Team prosecuted six defendants the week of October 3-7, 2011, in Mecklenburg County Superior Court.  Two cases were called for trial and four defendants entered guilty pleas before the Honorable Yvonne Mims Evans and the Honorable Hugh B. Lewis, Superior Court Judges.

Rudolph Brooks

Juan Partida Rodriguez, 27, was tried for 1) two counts of conspiracy to traffic in heroin, 2) two counts of trafficking in heroin and 3) possession with intent to sell or deliver heroin. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on all charges. Judge Lewis sentenced Rodriguez to 140-168 months in prison.

Rudolph Brooks, 38, was tried for 1) eight counts of trafficking in heroin, 2) one count of sale of heroin, and 3) three counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver heroin. Judge Evans declared a mistrial, as the jury deadlocked and was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Four defendants plead guilty before their cases were called for trial:

William Richardson, 56, plead guilty to possession with intent to sell or deliver heroin. Judge Lewis sentenced Richardson to 16-20 months in prison.

Joel McCutchen

Joel McCutchen, 33, plead guilty to two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresenting oneself as a licensed practitioner. Judge Evans sentenced McCutchen to 45 days in the county jail; that sentence was suspended pending his successful completion of 12 months of supervised probation.

Jean Brown, 52, plead guilty to obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Judge Evans deferred sentencing of Brown, pending her successful completion of 12 months of supervised probation.

Shawn Lee, 25, plead guilty to possession of cocaine. Judge Lewis sentenced Lee to 8-10 months in prison.

CMPD Vice & Narcotic Unit Make $500K Heroin Bust in Charlotte

As a result of a year-long investigation, Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Vice and Narcotics Unit with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized 3.6 kilograms (8 pounds) of black tar heroin on Thursday, July 28, 2011.  This seizure amounts to approximately 36,000 dosage units of heroin.  The street value of these drugs is approximately $500,000.

The black tar heroin was seized from an apartment near Central Avenue. This investigation has been ongoing since 2010 and multiple agencies from around the region provided information to CMPD that eventually led to the location of this significant seizure. The investigation is still ongoing so CMPD cannot release any specific details at this time.

Anyone with information about black tar heroin or other illegal drugs is encouraged by the CMPD to call the Vice and Narcotics Anonymous Tip Line at 704-336-8423. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.