Tabor City, NC – The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Unit arrested two individuals after an approximately seven month long investigation into a “pill mill” operating at 211 East 5th Street in Tabor City.  Dr. Jong Whan Kim along with his office manager and girlfriend, Tammy Lynn Thompson, were arrested today, June 29th.  This investigation originated from numerous citizen complaints and anonymous tips.

During the investigation, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Detectives utilized an undercover agent to purchase ounces of marijuana from Tammy Lynn Thompson, on numerous occasions.  The undercover agent also purchased 115 hydrocodone tablets from Thompson.

On June 29th, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Dr. Kim’s residence located at 303 Stake Road in Tabor City and at Dr. Kim’s office located at 211 East 5th Street in Tabor City.  During the search, the following items were located inside of Dr. Kim’s residence:

Tramadol
Marijuana
Morphine Sulfate
Hydrocodone
Methadone Hydrochloride

The above seized narcotics were packaged and ready to sell; some items were packaged in unmarked medication bottles for easy distribution.  Detectives seized multiple related records from Dr. Kim’s office.

Dr. Kim’s office was located less than 1000 feet from Tabor City Elementary School.  The office lacked the normal examination equipment that you usually see in a physician’s office.  The exam rooms did not have examination tables only a chair for the patient to sit in.  Patients would pay a set amount in cash to see Dr. Kim in exchange for a narcotics prescription in their name.  The patient would then have the prescription filled at an area pharmacy.  The office had numerous waiting rooms and they were all full when Detectives executed the search warrant.

This investigation is ongoing.  Additional charges may be forthcoming.

We received an overwhelming number of tips and complaints from citizens concerning the defendants in this case.  The complaints and anonymous tips were instrumental in this investigation.  Thank you Columbus County for being proactive!  Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and the Vice-Narcotics Unit strongly encourage citizens to notify us about illegal activities.  Call us, send us an email, or use the anonymous tip functions on the MobilePatrol app and on our website.

Defendant 1:

Arrested:
Jong Whan Kim
303 Stake Road, Tabor City, NC 28463
A-M
D.O.B.:  02-03-1947

Bond:
$ 5,580,000.00 Secured Bond.

Charges:
1 Felony count of Conspiring to Sell/Deliver Marijuana
2 Felony counts of Conspiring to Traffic Opium/Heroin
1 Felony count of Unlawful Prescribing of a Controlled Substance Without a Legitimate Medical Purpose
1 Felony count of Maintaining a Dwelling for Use, Sale, or Storage of Controlled Substance
4 Felony counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin
2 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and/or Deliver Marijuana
1 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule IV Controlled Substance
2 Felony counts of Selling a Controlled Substance Within 1000 feet of a School

Defendant 2:

Arrested:
Tammy Lynn Thompson
303 Stake Road, Tabor City, NC 28463
W-F
D.O.B.:  01-19-1965

Bond:
$ 760,000.00 Secured Bond.

Charges:
6 Felony counts of Sell/Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substance
7 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Sell and/or Deliver Marijuana
4 Felony counts of Maintaining a Dwelling for Use, Sale, or Storage of Controlled Substance
1 Felony count of Maintaining a Vehicle for Use, Sale, or Storage of Controlled Substance
7 Felony counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin
1 Felony count of Conspiring to Sell/Deliver Marijuana
2 Felony counts of Conspiring to Traffic Opium/Heroin
7 Felony counts of Selling a Controlled Substance Within 1000 feet of a School
2 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
1 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule IV Controlled Substance

Related articles:

https://bladenonline.com/tc-doctor-bladenboro-resident-arrested-for-running-pill-mill/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

https://bladenonline.com/former-elizabethtown-doctor-arrested-as-part-of-opioid-crackdown/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Dr. Jong Whan Kim

Additional charges have been obtained for both Thompson and Dr. Kim according to Columbus County Sheirff Hatcher.  Tammy Thompson’s bond is now $3,540,000.00 secured.  Dr. Kim’s bond remains at $5,580,000.00 secured.
The additional charges are as follows:

Jong Whan Kim
4 Felony counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin
2 Felony counts of Selling a Controlled Substance Within 1000 feet of a School
2 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and/or Deliver Marijuana
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule IV Controlled Substance

Tammy Thompson

Tammy Lynn Thompson
7 Felony counts of Selling a Controlled Substance Within 1000 feet of a School
2 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and/or Deliver Marijuana
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule IV Controlled Substance
4 Felony counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin

Related articles:

https://bladenonline.com/doctor-and-his-girlfriend-arrested-for-pill-mill/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

https://bladenonline.com/tc-doctor-bladenboro-resident-arrested-for-running-pill-mill/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

https://bladenonline.com/a-pill-a-promise-and-a-pat-on-the-back/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

By: Charlotte Smith

Updated: Many have been following the court case of Shanna May Harrelson, born January 30, 1979. Shanna was a former science teacher at West Bladen High School. On the Monday before Independence Day, Shanna plead to two of the charges against her at the Bladen County Courthouse. 

According to court documents, Shanna was scheduled to go to trial on Monday, July 16th. The charges against the defendant were disseminating obscene material to a minor, one felony count of crime against nature, and one felony count of a sex act with a student. Shanna decided to take the plea deal on Monday, July 2 instead of taking her charges to trail. 

Judge Sasser presided over the case. Shanna plead no contest to disseminating obscene material to a minor and one felony count of crime against nature according to her attorney. The felony count of a sex act with a student was dropped by the State during the plead hearing.

Judge Sasser heard a statement given by Quintin McGee with the District Attorney’s Office with the permission from Shanna. According to McGee in the spring of 2017 Captain Jeff Tyler with the Bladen County Sheirff’s Office received a tip from leadership at West Bladen High School about inappropriate actions by a staff member. Detective Morgan Johnson investigated the report in April and May of the same year.

After meetings with the school’s staff members and students Johnson found evidence Shanna owned two phones. One of Shanna’s phones contained inappropriate material she showed to her students who were minors around 15 years of age. The minor students told Shanna the material was inappropriate. The teacher showed the students the material anyway according to McGee’s statement; which lead to Shanna’s charge of disseminating obscene material to a minor.

McGee went on to state Shanna was meeting with students after school because of a leadership role she played in an extracurricular club. In 2016, Shanna met a 17 year old student in the Science Lab at the school and a sexual relationship began; however, the relationship was consensual according to McGee. If the relationship had happened outside of the student-teacher relationship, it would not be against the law according to McGee, therefore, the charge of felony count of sex act with a student was dropped.

The District Attorney’s Office did make note the students involved are apprehensive about having to testify in a court hearing. After McGee gave his statement of the events leading to the charges, Shanna‘s lawyer said the statement would be contradicted in a court case. However, Shanna did want to plead no contest to the two charges held against her by the State of North Carolina according to her lawyer.

Before sentencing was handed out by Judge Sasser, he informed the defendant the maximum sentence for the two charges she was facing is 48 months in prison. Shanna‘s attorney pointed out she had no prior criminal history. The defense attorney also presented Shanna‘s educational degrees, awards and her family relationships to the Judge in hopes for mercy on her for sentencing. Due to the age of the student Shanna allegedly had sexual relations with and the fact the relationship was consensual McGee said the law did not deem it necessary to have Harrelson file as a sex offender; but Shanna‘s teaching credentials should be forfeited.

McGee addressed the court saying, “Bladen County should know students are being educated by teachers, not preyed upon.”

At the end Judge Sasser sentenced Shanna to two consecutive suspended sentence of eight (8) months up to 19 months in prison on the condition Shanna serves 36 months of supervised probation, forfeits her North Carolina teaching credentials and pays attorney fees, court costs and other legal fees.

Shanna does not have to register as a sex offender according to McGee. After court was dismissed Shanna could be heard laughing while going over the paperwork from the court hearing. BladenOnline.com did reach out to Shanna for a statement about her plea, but Shanna did not make any comments.

Do to miscommunications this article was updated.

Related articles: 

https://bladenonline.com/a-look-back-at-2017s-top-ten-crime-stories/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

https://bladenonline.com/bladen-county-teacher-charged-minor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

By Charlotte Smith

Dr. Jong Whan Kim, 59, and Tammy Lynn Thompson, 53 are facing more charges and made millions on opioids and other drugs according to Columbus County officials. On Monday the two accused of dispensing drugs illegally had a court hearing. A multi-million dollar bail was set for both. 

According to Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker and Columbus County Sheriff Lewis Hatcher’s Office an investigation began involving the pair after anonymous reports were filed at both their offices. A Bladen County investigator said Kim has been on the radar for a while for over prescribing opioids. 

According to the District Attorney Jon David the duo have been prescribing medications on a cash only basis and without legitimate medical reasons. While some news reports say the investigation was going on for years, during the last six months the couple raked in millions of dollars handing out prescriptions.

Due to the fact the couple could flee with the money they made off the drug deals, the District Attorney’s office asked the Judge for a multi-million dollar bond for both defendants. According to a news report by WECT the judge upheld the current bonds. Dr. Kim has a bond set at $5.5 million and Thompson has a bond set at $3.5 million.

A representative from the North Carolina Medical Board was present at the court hearing on Monday, July 2 seeking to have Kim’s medical license surrendered according to WECT’s news report.

Sheriff McVicker said on Monday afternoon he already had a Bladen County resident stop him and thank him for his team’s work on the investigation.

Additional charges have been obtained for both Thompson and Dr. Kim according to Columbus County Sheirff Hatcher.  Tammy Thompson’s bond is now $3,540,000.00 secured.  Dr. Kim’s bond remains at $5,580,000.00 secured.
The additional charges are as follows:

Dr. Jong Whan Kim

Jong Whan Kim
4 Felony counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin
2 Felony counts of Selling a Controlled Substance Within 1000 feet of a School
2 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and/or Deliver Marijuana
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule IV Controlled Substance

Tammy Thompson

Tammy Lynn Thompson
7 Felony counts of Selling a Controlled Substance Within 1000 feet of a School
2 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and/or Deliver Marijuana
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule IV Controlled Substance
4 Felony counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin

BladenOnline.com has reached out to the Columbus County District Attorney’s office and the Columbus County Sheirff’s Department for more information. More information will be published as soon as it is made available. 

On 07-01-2018, at about 2039 hours, the three suspects pictured below befriended the victim at a business located in the 1600 block of White Lake Drive. The victim followed the three suspects into the parking lot area of the business. The suspects then got into a gray Honda passenger car. The suspects while sitting in the vehicle and the victim standing outside the vehicle asks the victim if he could change a ten dollar bill. The victim removed his wallet from his pocket and began to look through it. The suspects snatched the victim’s wallet and drove away.

The suspects were last seen in a gray Honda sedan displaying North Carolina Registration Plate ID-099251, leaving the scene. The suspects may live in or around Robeson County. The Registration Plate displayed on the vehicle was previously reported stolen from an used car dealership in Lumberton. The White Lake Police Department needs the public’s assistance in identifying these three individuals.

Anyone with information is urged to call the White Lake Police Department, at 910-862- 4057, or to remain anonymous visit http://www.whitelakenc.org/police.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Two men have been arrested in Virginia for stolen firearms. One firearm and both men arrested are linked to Bladen County.

Virginia law enforcement arrested Marcus Jermil Blake, 35, and Darrell Laron Rhodie Jr., 28, both of Elizabethtown on June 26th, after discovering two firearms hidden in a speaker box during a traffic stop according to Lt. Lonnie Cheshire, Criminal Investigations Division, Elizabethtown Police Department.

One of the firearms was found had been reported stolen from a car while it was being serviced at the Car Wash on Swanzy Street in Elizabethtown on June 12th, Cheshire reported.

According to the report, Blake and Rhodie Jr. were both charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by Felon.  Blake and Rhodie Jr. are currently being held in Virginia under no bond.  The Elizabethtown Police Department Criminal Investigations Division is still investigating the theft of the firearm that took place at the Car Wash.

Michael Travis Babson Previous photo of male published was incorrect.

Bladen County Sheriff James A. McVicker is seeking the public’s help in locating two people wanted for breaking and entering and otherunrelated charges.

“We are asking for help from our citizens to locate and arrest Michael Travis Babson, 32, and Keri Jean Hester, 32, of 16884 NC Hwy 131, Bladenboro for breaking and entering and larceny of a residence near their home that happened on June 15, 2018,” said McVicker.

“Investigators located stolen property at Hester’s residence and obtained warrants on her and

Keri Jean Hester

Babson for Felonious Breaking and Entering, Felonious Larceny, and Felonious Possession of Stolen Goods. Hester was arrested on June 28th and has since made bond. Babson is wanted on the original warrants and has four other outstanding warrants on unrelated matters. On July 2nd, Investigators sought and obtained additional warrants on Hester and Babson for Conspiracy to Commit Felonious Breaking and Entering.”

McVicker said items stolen included televisions, cash, bb guns, a Yeti cooler and a deer mount. Investigators have recovered a portion of the property from the Hester residence.

Anyone with information on the location of Babson and Hester are asked to contact the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office at 910-862-6960.

The White Lake Police has identified the vehicle in which the three suspects were traveling in. The Police Department is requesting assistance from the public locating this vehicle and the three pictured suspects.

The three suspects in the photo above allegedly befriended a victim in the evening on July 1st at a business on White Lake Drive. The victim followed the three suspects into the parking lot area of the business according to the police report. The suspects then got into a gray Honda passenger car in the photo below.

The suspects while sitting in the vehicle and the victim standing outside the vehicle asks the victim if he could change a ten dollar bill. The victim removed his wallet from his pocket and began to look through it. The suspects snatched the victim’s wallet and drove away. The suspects were last seen in a gray Honda sedan displaying North Carolina Registration Plate ID-099251, leaving the scene. The suspects may live in or around Robeson County.

The Registration Plate displayed on the vehicle was previously reported stolen from an used car dealership in Lumberton. The White Lake Police Department needs the public’s assistance in identifying these three individuals.

Anyone with information is urged to call the White Lake Police Department, at 910-862-4057, or to remain anonymous visit http://www.whitelakenc.org/police.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Man robbed of Wallet

By Charlotte Smith

Plea deal was handed down for one suspect in the local Dollar Tree breaking and entering case. The Dollar Tree located at 1204 West Broad Street in Elizabethtown reported a breaking and entering on Tuesday, February 27 according to the Elizabethtown Police Department. Employees of the local store were arriving for work on the February morning when they discovered the store had been broken in to and robbed overnight according to law enforcement reports.

Elizabethtown Police Investigator D. Cheshire announced two of the three men were arrested and brought to the Bladen County Jail on a Friday evening in May. Robert Fogle born November 7, 1957 was one of the two captured and brought in May.

“They were stopped in Sumter, South Carolina and evidence found in the vehicle tied them to the Dollar Tree robbery,” said Cheshire.

Robert Fogle took a guilty plea deal on the charges of Safe Cracking, Breaking and Entering and Larceny after the Breaking and Entering on Monday, July 2. Judge Douglas Sasser presiding over the plea consolidated it to one judgement. Fogle was sentenced to 19 months in prison, which was suspended for a 36 months of supervised probation sentence. Fogle must also pay restitution of $8422.00 to the Dollar Tree along with other court costs and lawyer fees.

Lt. Cheshire said the all three suspects were arrested that were linked with the Dollar Tree breaking and entering case. The other two suspects arrested are still awaiting their trails. 

Related articles: 

https://bladenonline.com/two-make-first-appearance-one-still-sought-in-dollar-tree-robbery/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

https://bladenonline.com/dollar-tree-break-in-could-be-tied-to-similar-incidents-in-other-locations/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Contributed

Picture of the missing truck.

A truck was reported stolen last Sunday around 1:30 a.m. off Highway 301 in Cumberland County. According to Justin McLaurin, who is the brother of the truck’s owner, the truck was last seen headed south but could have turned off any road.

The truck’s tag number is MCS2 and also has a picture of eagle on the tag. McLaurin said the truck was last seen near the Newton Grove area on Highway 13.

“This feeds a family and gave people jobs,” said McLaurin.

Cumberland County law enforcement has been notified of the theft. If anyone has seen the vehicle, call 911 or Justin McLaurin can be reached at 910-303-8380 or 910-303-8124, his brother can be reached by calling 910-849-4198.

White Lake Police Department announced in the afternoon on Tuesday three arrests were made in the robbery case at White Lake.

White Lake Police Department Lieutenant Mike Salmon released a statement saying, “White Lake Police has identified three suspects in this case with the assistance of the media and public. White Lake Police would like to thank everyone involved in helping identify these individuals.”

Warrants for arrest have been issued on the following individuals:
Adam Lee Chavis 30, Fayetteville, NC
Dewayne Coolidge Pleaseants Jr. 27, Fayetteville NC
Thomas Joseph Murdock 28, Fayetteville, NC

Related article:

Man robbed of wallet

https://bladenonline.com/vehicle-identified-with-three-suspects-in-robbery-case/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Keri Jean Hester

UPDATE: Keri Jean Hester and Michael Travis Babson turned themselves in today, Tuesday, July 10th according to Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.

“Hester had a $1,000 bond and Babson had a $50,000 bond. Both made bond and have first appearance hearing in Bladen District Court tomorrow.” Major Larry Guyton said in a press release earlier today.

The Sheriff’s Office gave credit to the media for the two turning themselves in today.

Michael Travis Babson

Previous article:

https://bladenonline.com/breaking-and-entering-suspects-sought/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

By Erin Smith

A Bladen County magistrate has been arrested and charged with one count of felony larceny by employee.

Priscella Dean Dunham, 54, of White Oak, was arrested on Monday by the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office and made her first appearance in Robeson County Court on Tuesday. According to reports, Dunham was an employee of the JC Penny Store in Lumberton.

Dunham is also a magistrate in Bladen County and Bladen Court records show she has been suspended by Judge Scott Ussery until further notice.

Bladen County Chief Deputy Larry Guyton said the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office was not involved in the investigation.

Clark

ELIZABETHTOWN, NC – William Bryan Clark, 36, of Elizabethtown, entered guilty pleas to two felony counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child on Tuesday in Bladen County Superior Court. As a result of the guilty pleas, Clark was sentenced to 23-37 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

The charges stem from two separate incidents in 2017 involving Clark when a 9- year-old victim alerted a parent that Clark had repeatedly sent graphic sexual messages to the child over social media. The parent notified law enforcement who initiated an investigation, interviewed Clark, and arrested him. Investigators with the Bladen County Sheriff’s Department filed the second Indecent Liberties with a Child charge when additional investigation revealed that Clark had also sent sexually explicit messages and images to a 12-year-old child via social media. Following the completion of his prison term, Clark will spend an additional two years on supervised probation, be required to register as a sex offender, and be subject to satellite-based monitoring.

“This case unfortunately illustrates that there are those with depraved minds and intentions in our midst,” said Assistant District Attorney Quintin McGee. “Thankfully, neither of the two children that were targeted over social media were physically harmed in this case. I am grateful that the parents involved were vigilant over their children’s activity on social media and alerted the authorities.”

Photo courtesy of Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office is still seeking information in the case of a stolen enclosed trailer. On January 20th, a white, Carson 7 foot x 12 foot enclosed trailer was stolen from Peacock Road in Chadbourn.

The suspect vehicle is believed to be a Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD with a utility bed. If you recognize the vehicle in these photos or have information about the incident, please contact Columbus County Sheriff’s Office at 910-640-6629.

Photo courtesy of Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff James A. McVicker announced the arrest Monday of a Bladenboro area man following an investigation by the Narcotics Unite into the distribution of Controlled Substances in the Storms Road area of Bladen County.

“My investigators learned an individual was selling suboxone, a prescription drug used to treat opioid addiction,” said McVicker. “Suboxone is similar to methadone in its intended use. It is meant to treat addiction but sadly it can be abused and become addictive itself or serve as a substitute when addicts cannot obtain the drug of their choice.”

Arrested following the investigation and a search warrant executed at his residence was Jonathon Wade Hester, 25, of 1208 Storms Road, Bladenboro. Hester was charged with one count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Schedule III Controlled Substance, one count of Sell and Deliver Schedule III Controlled Substance and one count of Manufacturing Schedule III Controlled Substance.

Hester was booked into the Bladen County Detention Center under a $51,500.00 secured bond and will have a first appearance hearing in Bladen District Court today.

“I and my entire office is dedicated to helping in the opioid epidemic we are facing in this area. We will continue to invest manpower and money into fighting this problem. We know all to well the far reaching and devastating effect it has not only on those who are addicted but even more so on their families and loved ones.”

Sheriff McVicker continues to urge citizens to report those they suspect of selling drugs. All information will be kept confidential.

Photo courtesy Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.

Chadbourn, NC – The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Unit has completed an investigation into the distribution of controlled substances throughout the Chadbourn community in Columbus County.

During the investigation, it was determined by Vice-Narcotics Agents from the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, that Gene Archie Bellamy, 64, was responsible for distributing controlled substances throughout the community of Chadbourn.

This investigation originated from information gathered from numerous citizen complaints. This information led Vice-Narcotics Agents to the area of Wellonton Apartments in Chadbourn. Agents conducted undercover purchases from the defendant in this investigation where amounts of Cocaine were purchased. At the conclusion of the investigation, on July 16, 2018, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Division conducted a warrant service for Bellamy for the offenses. The defendant in this investigation was arrested and processed at the Columbus County Detention Center and incarcerated. His bond was set at $15,000 secured.

Bellamy of 200 West 6th Avenue, Apt. 9-1, Chadbourn, is charged with one count of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, one count of sell and deliver cocaine and one count of maintaining a dwelling to keep and sell controlled substances.

Bladen County Sheriff James A. McVicker announced on Wednesday the arrest of several county residents for selling controlled substances.

“The Narcotic’s Unit has been busy during the past few weeks buying drugs and arresting dealers,” said Sheriff McVicker. “We are beginning to see an increase in the use and sale of heroin in the county. This is a trend of addicts who once used prescription medication and can no longer get it, who are now switching to the cheaper but even more addictive heroin as a substitute.”

Sheriff McVicker said members of the Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations Unit of the Elizabethtown Police Department assisted the Sheriff’s OfficeNarcotics Unit with arrests in several locations on Tuesday.

Arrested for selling drugs in the Willard Tatum Road area outside Elizabethtown was Dustin Lee Keisler, 32, of 48 Rackley’s Place, Elizabethtown. Keisler was charged with one count of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Heroin, one count of sell/deliver Heroin, one count of felony possession of Heroin. His bond was set at $100,000 secured.

A separate investigation into the sale of controlled substances in the Quail Street and Martin Luther King area of Elizabethtown has lead to the arrest of Jamie Ballard, 35, of 504 Quail Street, Elizabethtown. Ballard was charged with two counts of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Marijuana, one count of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II controlled substances (Hydrocodone), one count of felony possession of marijuana, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $75,000 secured. Approximately ¼ pound of marijuana was seized at the time of Ballard’s arrest. Ballard is on federal probation and additional charges are expected to be filed against him.

A third arrest was made in the Highway 410 and Highway 211 area of  Bladenboro following numerous complaints from area citizens. Arrested was Ethan Tyler Davis, 29, of 8492 Highway 131, Bladenboro. Davis was charged with one count of conspiring to deliver Heroin, one count of conspiring to sell Heroin and three counts of driving while license revoked. Davis’ bond was set at $101,000 secured.

“We will continue to seek out and arrest those who sell this poison,” said McVicker. “Not only are the user’s lives destroyed but so are their families, friends and neighbors. This is a problem we cannot solve with just arrests. We also need to help those who are struggling with addiction.”

Photo courtesy Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.

A missing Columbus County woman has been located. Felicia Ann Turnage was taken into custody yesterday (Tuesday, July 17) by Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Detectives.  She was arrested at 603 Spivey Road in Whiteville, without incident.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office was attempting to locate Turnage in order to serve her with multiple outstanding warrants.

She was served with the following warrants:

Tabor City Police Department
1 felony count of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle
1 misdemeanor count of Injury to Personal Property
1 citation of Hit/Run Leaving the Scene of Property Damage

Columbus County Sheriff’s Office
1 felony count of Breaking and Entering
1 felony count of Larceny after Breaking and Entering
1 felony count of Larceny of a Motor Vehicle

She was given a secured bond of $11,500.

Sherwood Leon Anderson

Ennis, Robert

Edith Charlene Freeman

Dennis Martin

Contributed

Bladen County Sheriff’s Office and Pender County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Units have completed an investigation into the distribution of Controlled Substances in the Cane Tuck Road area of the Kelly community.

The joint investigation centered on Sherwood Anderson who it was determined to be the primary suspect and from citizen complaints naming Anderson.

On Wednesday, July 18, 2018 the Bladen County Narcotics Unit, Criminal Investigations Unit, K-9 Unit, Patrol Unit and members of the Pender County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, K-9 Unit and Special Response team executed a search warrant at 104 Cane Tuck Road, Kelly. Agents seized Crack Cocaine, Powder Cocaine, as well as prescription medication in the Schedule II and Schedule III Controlled Substance Act along with US Currency.

Arrested and charged was Sherwood Anderson, 44, of 104 Cane Tuck Road, Kelly. Anderson was charged with:
1 count of Sell Cocaine
1 count of Deliver Cocaine
1 count of Manufacture Cocaine
2 counts of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Cocaine
2 counts of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substances
1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Schedule III Controlled Substances
2 counts of Possession of Cocaine
2 counts of Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substances
1 count of Possession of Schedule III Controlled Substances
4 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
1 count of Felony Probation Violation

Anderson’s bond was set at $750,000.00.

Also arrested was Edith Freeman, 40 of the same address. Freeman was charged with:
1 count of Possession of Marijuana  ½oz
1 count of Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substances
1 count of Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia

Freeman’s bond was set at $10,000.00 secured.

Also arrested at the scene was Robert Ennis, 39, of 2617 Halfway Branch School Road, Atkinson. Ennis was charged with one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and received a $5,000.00 unsecured bond.

Along with Ennis, Agents also arrested Dennis Martin, 44, of 2553 Porter Road, Currie. Martin was also charged with one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and received a $5,000.00 secured bond.

“Many times we find drug dealers working across county lines,” said McVicker. “This is why it is so important for Sheriff’s offices to have a good working relationship with adjoining counties. Working with Pender deputies helped seal the fate for Mr. Anderson and Ms. Freeman.”