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-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office 

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit has concluded Phase II of “Operation Impact,” a six-month joint investigation with JC’s Recovery Baltimore involving illegal drug activity in Franklin County. This operation focused on illegal drug sales in and around the Louisburg area of Franklin County.

As a result of this investigation, 16 individuals have been arrested and charged with 88 felony drug-related charges. The individuals arrested during this phase of Operation Impact, are alleged to have been involved in selling illegal drugs in and around neighborhoods in the Louisburg area. 

This investigation was part of a continued and on-going effort by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to identify and investigate illegal drug activity occurring in Franklin County. The individuals arrested during this operation were identified by citizen complaints, and other intelligence-driven information received by the Sheriff’s Office. 

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “Phase II of Operation Impact was conducted as part of our overall strategy to address illegal drug sales in every part of our county. Working with our law enforcement partners has proven to be a valuable resource in combating illegal drug activities within our communities.” 

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisburg Police Department and the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division. 

As a result of “Operation Impact,” 31 individuals have been arrested and charged with 174 felony drug-related charges. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected. 

The following arrests/charges are the result of Operation Impact: Phase II –

Eric Lamont Joyner, 38 years old, 25 Eagle Nest Lane Kittrell, NC 27544 – Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Heroin (2 Counts), Sell Heroin (2 Counts), Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling for Selling Controlled Substances. 

Bond $25,000 secured 

Ashley Suri, 24 years old, 40 Richards Way Zebulon, NC 27597 – Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance (2 Counts), Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance (2 Counts), Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling for Selling Controlled Substances (2 Counts).

Bond $25,000 secured 

Wilbert Stewart Jr., 52 years old, 286 Dupree Drive Louisburg, NC 27549 – Sell Cocaine (3 Counts), PWIMSD Schedule Il Controlled Substance (3 Counts), Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance (2 Counts).

Bond $50,000 secured 

Dennis Earl Fennell Jr., 29 years old, 71 Dupree Drive Louisburg, NC 27549 – Sell Cocaine, PWIMSD Schedule Il Controlled Substance, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance, Manufacture/Sell/Deliver/Possess with Intent, Controlled Substance within 1000 ft of School.

Bond $100,000 secured 

Joseph Albert Fowler Jr., 30 years old, 196 Dupree Drive Louisburg, NC 27549 – PWIMSD Cocaine, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance (4 Counts), Sell Cocaine (3 Counts), PWIMSD Sch II Controlled Substance (3 Counts), Manufacture/Sell/Deliver/Possess with Intent Controlled Substance within 1000 ft of School.

Bond $175,000 secured

Ricky Patrick Hill Jr., 23 years old, 265 Otis Burrows Road Louisburg, NC 27549 – Sell Marijuana (2 Counts), PWIMSD Marijuana (2 Counts), Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance (2 Counts).

Bond $20,000 secured 

Walter Emanuel Epps, 59 years old, 302 Mineral Springs Rd. Louisburg, NC 27549 – Sell Cocaine (2 Counts), PWIMSD Cocaine (2 Counts), Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance (2 Counts), PWISD Cocaine.

Bond $100,000 secured 

Jess Lee Althiser, 37 years old, 73 Whites Lane Louisburg, NC 27549 – PWISD Marijuana, Sell Marijuana, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwell/Place for Controlled Substance.

Bond $15,000 secured 

James Franklin Priest, 35 years old, 305 Ridley Street Louisburg, NC 27549 – PWISD Cocaine (2 Counts), Sell Cocaine (2 Counts), Maintain a Vehicle/Dwell/Place for Controlled Substance (2 Counts).

Bond $25,000 secured 

Reo Perry, 27 years old, 871 Walter Grissom Road Kittrell, NC 27544 – PWISD Marijuana, Sell Marijuana, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwell/Place for Controlled Substance, Conspire Sell Marijuana.

Bond $15,000 secured 

Justina Webb, 29 years old, 871 Walter Grissom Road Kittrell, NC 27544 – Deliver Marijuana, PWISD Marijuana.

Bond $15,000 secured 

Justin Lane Williams, 24 years old, 118 Rex Place Louisburg, NC 27549 – PWISD Cocaine, Sell Cocaine, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwell/Place for Controlled Substance, Manufacture/Sell/Deliver/Possess with Intent Controlled Substance within 1000 ft of School. 

Bond $40,000 secured 

Dequon Seward, 25 years old, 150 Rough Lane Louisburg, NC 27549 – PWISD Marijuana, Sell Marijuana.

Bond $10,000 secured 

Antonie Perry, 34 years old, 275 Cripple Creek Road Louisburg, NC 27549 – PWIMSD Cocaine, Sell Cocaine.

Bond $5,000 secured 

Dennis Godwin, 44 years old, 113 Hopi Drive Louisburg, NC 27549 – Sell Heroin (2 Counts), PWIMSD Heroin (2 Counts), Conspire Sell/Deliver Schedule I Controlled Substance.

Bond $75,000 secured 

Melissa Murphy, 46 years old, 216 MC Wilder Road Louisburg, NC 27549 – Sell Schedule II Controlled Substance (3 Counts), PWIMSD Schedule II Controlled Substance (3 Counts), Maintain a Vehicle/Dwell/Place for Controlled Substance (2 Counts), Trafficking, Opium or Heroin (3 Counts), Manufacture/Sell/Deliver/Possess with Intent Controlled Substance within 1000 ft of School.

Bond $150,000 secured 

If you have information regarding Operation Impact or you would like to report drug activity in your area, please contact Sgt. Ken Pikę at (919) 496-2186.