TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The Transylvania County Narcotics Task Force has charged 20 people following a year-long drug investigation.
The sheriff's office worked along side the City of Brevard Police Department, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and a team from the United States Marshals Service, Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force – Asheville Office to carry out what was called Operation “C.U.T.” (Clean Up Transylvania).
NEARLY A DOZEN ARRESTED AFTER 2.75 POUNDS OF ILLEGAL DRUGS SEIZED IN 30 DAY PERIOD
As a result of this investigation, the following were seized in Transylvania and surrounding counties:
- Approximately $19,268.64 in currency
- 17 weapons
- 7.84 pounds of methamphetamine
- Nearly one-quarter of a pound of Cocaine
- 3.4 grams of Heroin
- Nearly one-third of a pound of Fentanyl
- 197 grams of MDMA
“Narcotics investigations by their very nature are often unseen by the public”, Sheriff David Mahoney said in a press release. “Today’s successful operation serves as a testimony to the unwavering commitment of the Transylvania County Narcotics Task Force, The Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Brevard Police Department in combating drugs in Transylvania County.”
9 ARRESTED, OVER 20 POUNDS OF METH CONFISCATED DURING INVESTIGATION INTO DRUG OPERATION
Charged as a result of Operation C.U.T.:
Decarlos Devor Lynch of Lake Toxaway:
- Lynch was charged with 5 counts of sale or delivery of controlled substances, 4 counts of possession of controlled substances near a school, 1 count of possession of controlled substances near a public park, 3 counts of conspiracy to sale or deliver controlled substances, and 2 counts of trafficking controlled substances.
Lindsay Nicole Galloway of Lake Toxaway:
- Galloway was charged with 2 counts of sale or delivery of controlled substances, 2 counts of possession of a controlled substance at or near a school, and 2 counts of conspiracy to sale or deliver controlled substances.
Jason Eric Hemphill of Rosman:
- Hemphill was charged with 4 counts of sale or delivery of a controlled substance, 4 counts of possession of a controlled substance near a public park, 1 count of maintaining a dwelling for the purposes of selling controlled substances, and 1 count of trafficking controlled substances.
Shasta Lashea Gravley of Brevard:
- Gravley was charged with 3 counts of sale or delivery of a controlled substance, 1 count of possession of controlled substances near a school, 1 count of possession of controlled substance near a child care center, 2 counts of trafficking controlled substances, and 1 count of conspiracy to sale or deliver controlled substances.
Edward Todd “Petey” Melton of Rosman:
- Melton was charged with 2 counts of sale or delivery of a controlled substance, 2 counts of possession with intent to sale or deliver controlled substances, 1 count of conspiracy to sale or deliver controlled substances, and 1 count of maintaining a dwelling place for the purposes of selling controlled substances.
Derek Thomas Chapman of Brevard:
- Chapman was charged with 1 count of sale or delivery of controlled substances, 1 count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sale or deliver, and 1 count of conspiracy to sale or deliver controlled substances.
Charles Daniel Briggs of Brevard:
- Briggs was charged with 1 count of conspiracy to sale or deliver controlled substances.
Christian Andreus Washington of Connestee:
- Washington was charged with 3 counts of sale or delivery of fentanyl, 4 counts of possession of intent to sale or deliver fentanyl, 1 count of maintaining a dwelling for the purposes of sale or delivery of controlled substances, 1 count of maintaining a vehicle for the purposes of sale or delivery of controlled substances, and 1 count of trafficking fentanyl.
Aaron Alden Roberts of Brevard:
- Roberts was charged with 4 counts of sale or delivery of fentanyl, 2 counts of sale or delivery of methamphetamine, 5 counts of possession with intent to sale or deliver controlled substances near a public park (fentanyl), 2 counts of possession with intent to sale or deliver controlled substances near a public park (methamphetamine), 5 counts of maintaining a dwelling for the purposes of sale or delivery of a controlled substance, 1 count of conspiracy to sale or deliver controlled substances,1 count of trafficking opioids, 2 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, 1 count of possession of marijuana, and 1 count of possession of marijuana paraphernalia.
Charise McIntosh Roberts of Brevard:
- Roberts was charged with 1 count of possession of methamphetamine, 1 count of possession of fentanyl, 1 count of possession of drug paraphernalia, 1 count of possession of marijuana, and 1 count of possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia.
Manley Weston Praytor of Brevard:
- Praytor was charged with 1 count of sale or delivery of methamphetamine, and 1 count of possession with intent to sale or deliver methamphetamine.
Calvin Andrew Reddish of Blantyre:
- Reddish was charged with 1 count of sale or delivery of cocaine.
Renardo Miguel Whaley Jr. of Simpsonville, SC:
- Whaley was charged with 1 count of sale or delivery of fentanyl, 1 count of possession with intent to sale or deliver fentanyl near a park, and 1 count of conspiracy to sale or deliver controlled substances.
Jo Ann Ramirez of Flat Rock:
- Ramirez was charged with 1 count of sale or delivery of methamphetamine, and 1 count of possession with intent to sale or deliver methamphetamine.
Brian Thomas Koontz of Balsam Grove:
- Koontz was charged with 1 count of sale or delivery of methamphetamine, 1 count of sale or delivery fentanyl, 1 count of maintaining a dwelling for the purposes of selling controlled substances, 1 count of possession with intent to sale or deliver methamphetamine, and 1 count of possession with intent to sale or deliver fentanyl.
Jeffrey Douglas Patterson of Rosman:
- Patterson was charged with 1 count of conspiracy to sale or deliver methamphetamine.
Tawny Kiona Jackson of Rosman:
- Jackson was charged with 1 count of sale or delivery of methamphetamine, and 1 count of possession with intent to sale or deliver methamphetamine.
Lisa Yeomans Morgan of Rosman:
- Morgan was charged with 1 count of sale or delivery of methamphetamine, 1 count of possession with intent to sale or deliver methamphetamine, 1 count of conspiracy to sale or deliver methamphetamine, and 1 count of maintaining a dwelling place for the purpose of selling controlled substances.
Stephen Blake O’Shields of Brevard:
- O’Shields was charged with 1 count of sale or delivery of methamphetamine, 1 count of possession with intent to sale or deliver methamphetamine, and 1 count of conspiracy to sale or deliver methamphetamine.
Charles Henry Bracken of Rosman:
- Bracken was charged with 1 count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Citizens wishing to provide information that can help in this team effort are encouraged to contact TNT at either 828-884-3168 or by email at tnt@tcsonc.org. Tips and information can also be shared through the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office web page.
