Tag Archive for: #ncdps

ALE Concludes Long-Term Drug Trafficking Investigation in Vance County

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— courtesy of NC Dept. of Public Safety; Alcohol Law Enforcement

HENDERSON, N.C. — The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) division has concluded a long-term investigation into drug trafficking and sales at several ABC-permitted businesses in Henderson and Vance County.

ALE special agents initiated the investigation in January 2026 after receiving numerous community complaints regarding loitering and harassment by suspected drug dealers at these establishments.

Throughout the investigation, undercover agents purchased trafficking amounts of controlled substances from a range of suspects, including gang members, sex offenders, absconders and individuals with violent criminal histories. Agents identified that key participants in the trafficking operation collaborated with gangs to distribute drugs into the local community. Agents also discovered evidence of illicit drug manufacturing inside homes where children were present.

“The success of this investigation is a testament to the dedication of our ALE special agents and the strength of our partnerships with the Henderson Police Department, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation,” said ALE Director Bryan House. “By working together and acting on the concerns shared by the community, we have effectively disrupted significant criminal activity. We will continue to utilize these collaborative efforts to ensure that ABC-permitted businesses are safe environments and that those who engage in illegal activities are brought to justice.”

During the investigation, agents seized more than a pound of cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine. They also recovered MDMA, opioids, heroin, $5,479 in cash and 10 firearms, majority of which were possessed by convicted felons. Additionally, agents arrested three individuals for armed robbery during the investigation, including a 15-year-old.

“This operation demonstrates the value of collaboration amongst law enforcement agencies,” said District Attorney Mike Waters. “We will continue to pursue accountability for individuals involved in criminal activity and support efforts that make our neighborhoods safer.”

ALE, with assistance from the Henderson Police Department, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation, conducted an operation on June 17 and 18 where they executed seven search warrants and arrested or obtained warrants for more than 15 people on a combined total of more than 170 charges.

Criminal charges are as follows:

Dermale Alphonso Durham, 38, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
  • Sell Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Deliver Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Sell Marijuana
  • Deliver Marijuana

Michael Joseph Gill, 46, of Oxford

  • Trafficking Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, Possess a Controlled Substance within 1000 ft of a School
  • Conspire to Traffick Cocaine

Zyquaveon Hargrove, 20, of Henderson

  • Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
  • Conspire to Commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substances

Reginald Tyrone Harris, 54, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
  • Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia

Tatianna Hinton, 24, of Oxford

  • Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
  • Conspire to Commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substances
  • Promote Drug Sales by a Minor
  • Misd. Carrying Concealed Gun
  • Misd. Assault by Pointing a Gun
  • Misd. Possess Marijuana up to ½ ounce

Maurice Gerod Kearney, 36, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Ecstasy
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
  • Maintaining a Dwelling for a Controlled Substance
  • Misd. Possess/Sell Non-Tax Paid Liquor
  • Misd. Possess Marijuana up to ½ ounce
  • Misd. Possess Marijuana Paraphernalia
  • Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia

Richard Cliffton Newman, 46, of Norlina

  • Obtain Property by False Pretense

Barry Oneil Reavis, 46, of Henderson

  • Possession of a Firearm by Felon
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine – 3 counts
  • Maintaining a Dwelling for a Controlled Substance – 3 counts
  • Trafficking Cocaine – 9 counts
  • Sell Cocaine – 3 counts
  • Deliver Cocaine – 3 counts
  • Conspire to Sell Cocaine – 4 counts
  • Conspire to Deliver Cocaine – 4 counts
  • Conspire to Traffick Cocaine – 3 counts
  • Misd. Possess Marijuana up to ½ ounce
  • Misd. Possess Marijuana Paraphernalia
  • Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia

Jonathan Allan Rhodes, 37, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Heroin
  • Maintaining a Vehicle for a Controlled Substance
  • Misd. Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance
  • Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia

Mario Antwon Solomon, 50, of Henderson

  • Possession of a Firearm by Felon
  • Carrying a Concealed Gun
  • Trafficking Methamphetamine – 3 counts
  • Trafficking Fentanyl
  • Manufacturing a Schedule II Substance
  • Conspire to Sell Methamphetamine – 2 counts
  • Conspire to Deliver Methamphetamine
  • Sell Methamphetamine
  • Deliver Methamphetamine
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
  • Sell Schedule II Controlled Substance
  • Conspire to Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
  • Misd. Possess Marijuana Paraphernalia
  • Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia

Andre Lamont Stevenson, 37, of Norlina

  • Misd. Allow Unlawful Conduct on Licensed Premises

Frederick Williams, 45, of Henderson

  • Possession of a Firearm by Felon
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine – 5 counts
  • Trafficking Cocaine – 11 counts
  • Trafficking Methamphetamine – 2 counts
  • Sell Cocaine – 6 counts
  • Deliver Cocaine – 5 counts
  • Conspire to Sell Cocaine – 7 counts
  • Conspire to Deliver Cocaine – 6 counts
  • Conspire to Traffick Cocaine – 8 counts
  • Conspire to Sell Methamphetamine – 2 counts
  • Conspire to Deliver Methamphetamine
  • Conspire to Sell/Deliver Schedule II Substance
  • Sell Methamphetamine
  • Deliver Methamphetamine
  • Sell Schedule II Controlled Substance
  • Conspire to Sell Schedule II Substance

Shawn Andre Williams Jr., 18, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substances
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
  • Sell of Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substance

The following individuals have active arrest warrants as of June 19:

Christopher Donnel Watkins, 52, of Townsville

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Sell Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Deliver Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
  • Sell Marijuana
  • Deliver Marijuana

Jimmy Lee Branch Jr., 51, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
  • Sell Cocaine
  • Deliver Cocaine

Malik Jones, 24, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
  • Sell Marijuana
  • Deliver Marijuana

Keith Jones, 49, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
  • Sell Cocaine

Antwain Nicholas Quazon Allen, 27, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
  • Sell Cocaine
  • Deliver Cocaine

Agents also discovered illegal gambling machines located at several businesses involved in the illicit drug transactions. ALE executed search warrants at four locations: 4U Country Store, 13674 N.C. 39; Park and Play, 13020 N.C. 39; New Hope Mini Mart, 47 Morgan Road; and Williamsboro Grocery, 7690 N.C. 39. Officers seized illegal gaming equipment as well as $35,677 in cash.

This investigation remains ongoing and more charges are pending.

Vance County Man Charged Twice after Providing Alcohol to Underage Recipient

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 — press release courtesy of NC Dept of Public Safety, ALE

HENDERSON, N.C.— A Vance County man has been charged twice in as many months for providing alcohol to the same underage 20-year-old female.

On Thursday, May 2, 2024, Henderson Police Department (HPD) responded to a vehicle crash in Henderson, NC involving Kassidy Faye Edwards, 20, who collided with a second vehicle, seriously injuring the driver. At the time of the crash, alcohol was believed to be a factor. HPD contacted ALE, who immediately began an investigation. This resulted in two arrests, consisting of multiple alcohol related criminal charges and one violation report submitted to the NC ABC Commission.

Through the course of the investigation, ALE received information that Christopher Taylor Fisher had continued providing alcohol to underage individuals. On Sunday, July 28, 2024, with the assistance from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, ALE special agents arrested Fisher and Edwards on multiple criminal charges. Subsequently, a search warrant was executed at 262 Noel Lane, Henderson, NC, which resulted in the seizure of nontax paid liquor, cocaine and a quantity of prescription pills.

The following individuals were arrested:

  • Christopher Taylor Fisher, 54, of Henderson, NC, was charged with felony possession of cocaine, felony possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, felony possession schedule II-controlled substance, misdemeanor maintaining a dwelling/vehicle for controlled substances, misdemeanor simple possession of schedule II controlled substances, give malt beverage/unfortified wine to person under 21, possess/sell nontax paid alcoholic beverage and possess/sell alcoholic beverages without ABC permits.
  • Kassidy Faye Edwards,20, of Henderson, NC, was charged with consume alcoholic beverages by person 19/20 years old and possession of malt beverage/unfortified wine by person 19/20 years old.

ALE often works closely with local and state law enforcement agencies investigating vehicle collisions resulting in personal injury and or death of persons less than 21 years of age when alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision.

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Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill Scheduled for Oct. 15

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Public Safety

The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is a worldwide earthquake safety movement involving 17.1 million people throughout 2020 (and counting). Most participate in ShakeOut by registering to practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” and many do much more.

Please visit https://www.shakeout.org/southeast/register/ today to register your organization, school, agency, business or family and perform a ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold On’ drill on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at 10:15 a.m., or any date and time that works best for you.

The drill can be completed together in-person or at home via videoconferencing. Once registered you will:

  • Learn how your organization, school, agency, business or family can be more prepared for earthquakes.
  • Be counted in the world’s largest earthquake drill.
  • Receive ShakeOut news and other information about earthquakes and preparedness.
  • Make a difference by motivating others to participate and be prepared.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participants are adapting their ShakeOut activities through videoconferencing, choosing staggered or alternative dates, and following local health and safety guidelines (see ShakeOut.org/covid19).

From Brian Short, director of Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations:

There are three levels of participation in International ShakeOut Day. Level 1 is basic level participation, and that is the level in which the local area will be participating.

NC is subject to earthquakes. Earthquakes do, in fact, occur more frequently than most people realize. It is important for us all to know what to do in the event one should occur in our area.

Unlike the statewide tornado exercise, there will not be any sort of announcement made via radio, TV or otherwise. It is up to each agency or individual to initiate their own participation at the appropriate time.

Newly Hired Correctional Officers to Get Training More Quickly

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Department Implements New Approach to Correctional Officer Training 

RALEIGH – In an effort to improve safety at state prisons, the Department of Public Safety is launching a new approach to train newly hired correctional officers more quickly. New officers will begin basic correctional officer training at the start of their second week on the job, following one week of orientation at their work location.  By attending basic training within the first couple of weeks of employment, correctional officers will learn the policies, procedures, skills and abilities to help them be successful.

“This new approach to training will better equip newly hired correctional officers so they excel at keeping order in the prisons for the safety of staff, inmates and ultimately the public,” said Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks.

Adult Correction has redirected existing resources to immediately provide this training to new hires and is working to make sure that all officers already on the job have attended basic training. In addition, Secretary Hooks said that he and division leaders are working with managers throughout the state to find ways to improve prison operations.

“Redirecting training resources is important to provide the foundation officers need to understand working in a correctional environment,” said W. David Guice, chief deputy secretary of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice.  “Well-trained officers who are confident working in this environment will enhance public safety.”

The current basic correctional officer training curriculum is under wholesale review and may be expanded. The leaders of Adult Corrections will take a more hands-on role during training to help emphasize professionalism, ethics and the importance of a public safety career. In addition, supervisory training improvements are also being considered.

“To improve operations, we’re researching and analyzing best practices including in hiring, entry and exit procedures and contraband control, and I am committed to making changes where appropriate,” Secretary Hooks added.