Upcoming Events
Operation Christmas Crackdown
30 plus suspects arrested on drug charges
- Sheriff's Office looking for two missing teens
- Drowning victim’s body recovered; town considering warning sign
- Finally, good news
- Sluggish backwater bite
- Brunswick County Summer Concerts & Movies launch for season
- Remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice
- Commissioners to give county employees pay raises
- Southport woman sues funeral home for losing ashes
Last Wednesday, Dec. 5, multiple law enforcement agencies joined the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office for Operation Christmas Crackdown.
Teams of officers gathered at 6 a.m. with a goal of apprehending 34 suspects wanted on drug charges from throughout the county.
According to the BCSO, the operation targeted street-level drug dealers. The investigation began in September.
“They can expect by now that we are coming for them,” Sheriff John Ingram said in a morning briefing.
Officers separated and worked different areas of the county, serving warrants simultaneously. The majority of the suspects were in custody and processed at the Brunswick County Detention Center by 10:30 a.m.
As the officers met and set into motion plans for the day, safety was a top priority.
“Officer safety is always one of the first concerns,” said Mose Highsmith, BCSO legal affairs, as he drove two reporters to a suspect’s location. “When you approach the house, you have to do it cautiously as there is always a potential for danger. You have to be aware of your surroundings. The people that are the target of these arrests are being arrested on felony drug charges so officers always anticipate the possibility of violence…For some of these folks it’s the job they do.”
Twenty-nine of the 34 suspects were arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 5, with an additional four suspects charged. One additional suspect was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 6, and charged as of press time Tuesday.
Many of the suspects were aware of BCSO’s annual round-ups, and one even commented as he was being escorted from his home, “What is this? A round-up or something?”
Some were familiar with the policies of the detention center and asked to pack a bag of underwear and socks.
Suspects were arrested, many at their homes, and taken to a central holding area and placed in a detention van. Once the vans were filled, they were taken to the detention center in Bolivia.
Extra staff was on hand to handle the large quantity of people being booked into the detention center. A processing line was formed, and suspects were checked in.
“There is a lot of preparation (into a round-up). There is work on the front end with agents who do the work and testimony given to the grand jury to get the indictments,” Highsmith said. “Once they are arrested they go through the booking process at the detention center.”
Arrests
Alicia Marie Deans, 23, 1023 Cypress Lakes Circle, Bolivia, trafficking in opium or heroin, possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule III controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule III controlled substance. Deans was also wanted on warrants with NCAWARE for two counts of trafficking a schedule III controlled substance.
Brandon Varnam, 3300 Stone Chimney Road, Supply, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance.
Brett Allen Holden, 2897 Old Ferry Road, Supply, NCAWARE warrant for falsely obtaining a prescription for a controlled substance.
Charles Richard Clark, 45, 1023 Cypress Lakes Circle, Bolivia, and 495 Village Road, Leland, two counts of trafficking in opium or heroin.
Chase Daniel Williamson, 23, 5384 Oak Tree Lane, Shallotte, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. A criminal contempt charge was added on Dec. 6.
Christopher Shane Barr, 18, 9460 Walker Street, Leland, possession with intent to manufacture sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and two counts of trafficking in opium.
Christian Moraqles Lopez, 18, 1867 Ridge Road, Supply, possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, selling and delivering a schedule VI controlled substance and conspiracy.
Crystal Lynn Yerkie, 28, of 5384 Oak Tree Lane, Shallotte, conspiracy to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance. A criminal contempt charge was added on Dec. 6.
Damian Hal Rabon, 1180 Queens Way, Leland, possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance.
Deandre Lamar Jenkins,112 Orleans Street, Leland, possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance.
Derek Long, 120 Baldwin Drive, Leland, possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance.
Don A. Bellamy, 2228 Buoy Street SW, Supply, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and selling and delivering a schedule II controlled substance.
Greg Taylor, 9061 Hooper Road, Leland, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and selling and delivering a schedule VI controlled substance.
Heather Jo Stonebrook, 1248 Sandy Ridge Way, Leland, possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and selling and delivering a schedule II controlled substance.
Jamie Landis High, 1286 Riverview Drive, Calabash, two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance and two counts of selling and delivering a schedule IV controlled substance. Suspect was in custody.
Jennifer Leann Smith, aka Amanda Smith, 120 Baldwin Drive, Leland, possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and selling and delivering a schedule VI controlled substance.
Jennifer Lynn Thompson, 27, 6667 Funston Road, Winnabow, trafficking opium, possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule III controlled substance, selling and delivering a schedule III controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance.
Kelly James Maness, 35, 6667 Funston Road, Winnabow, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and selling and delivering a schedule II controlled substance.
Kory Medford, 2110 N Tanglewood Drive, Supply, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance, selling and delivering a schedule VI controlled substance and conspiracy.
Melissa Gail Lisk, 43, 2907 Aster Lane SW, Supply, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance, selling and delivering a schedule IV controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and selling and delivering a schedule II controlled substance.
Nathaniel “Nate” Balloon, 26, 8880 Millers Path, Leland, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana and selling and delivering marijuana.
Orrey Palmer Clemmons of 571 Mary Lou Lane, Supply, obtaining a false prescription for a controlled substance.
Raja Ronald Lofland, 35, Maplewood Drive, Calabash, two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance, selling and delivering a schedule II controlled substance, conspiracy, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance, selling and delivering a schedule IV controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Raychael Grantham, 8729 North Fork Way, Leland, possession with intent to manufacture sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance, selling and delivering a schedule VI controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, selling and delivering a schedule IV controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance.
Samuel Robert Fowler, 1001 Hunterstone Drive, Leland, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and selling and delivering a schedule VI controlled substance.
Sean Patrick Clark, 109 NW 7th Street, Oak Island, possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and selling and delivering a schedule II controlled substance.
Tiffani M. Compton, 9212 Central Blvd, Winnabow, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and selling and delivering a schedule VI controlled substance. Compton was also wanted for NCAWARE warrants for possession of marijuana and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Tina Lorraine Winters, 40, 9447 Lynn Marie Drive, Leland, two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance, two counts of selling and delivering a schedule II controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance and selling and delivering a schedule IV controlled substance.
Travis Lamar Stevenson, 28, 409 Little Macedonia Road, Supply, two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance, selling and delivering a schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Damian Allen Burney, 1319 Stevenson Road, Supply, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana and selling and delivering marijuana.
Additional charges
Meiko Perry of 9212 Central Blvd., Winnabow, resisting a public officer.
Peggy Taylor of 8947 Hooper Road, Leland, resisting a public officer.
Roger King, simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Merton Gainey IV, simple possession of marijuana.
Wanted suspects
The following are currently listed as wanted by the BCSO for the following charges. Indictments have been obtained.
Wanda Watts Johnson, 4330 Old Ocean Highway, Bolivia, three counts of trafficking a schedule III controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule III controlled substance, selling and delivering a schedule III controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance and selling and delivering a schedule VI controlled substance.
James “Chris” Bunting,1019 Emory Street, Wilmington, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance, selling and delivering a schedule IV controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Brenden Emmerson, 1336 Parkland Way, Leland, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance, selling and delivering a schedule IV controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jeremy Hunsucker, 6667 Funston Road, Winnabow, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and selling and delivering a schedule II controlled substance.
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