Jaclyn Anthony / Lincoln Times-News Suspects apprehended by deputies in “Operation Top 40” are processed on Wednesday. Look inside for mugshots.
JENNA-LEY HARRISON
Staff Writer
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is looking for nearly 20 suspects still at-large in the agency’s sixth drug operation since 2011.
“Operation Top 40″ commenced Wednesday after a 6 a.m. briefing, headed by Narcotics Lieutenant Jason Reid.
He and fellow drug officers carried out a six-month-long investigation involving undercover work with street-level dealers.
A grand jury indicted all 40 alleged drug offenders Nov. 12 on more than 150 felony charges pertaining to buying, using and/or selling and delivering illegal substances like marijuana, methamphetamine and cocaine along with prescription pills, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies scoured the county Wednesday in search of the offenders, some who were arrested at their residences.
Some suspects, already behind bars for various other charges, were served warrants in jail, deputies said.
The Times-News rode with a team of officers during the early-morning event, and saw them arrest three suspects at one residence alone on George Brown Road in Crouse.
During a first stop at the home, officers handcuffed a mother and son.
Billie Ann Neal, 59, and son Jonathan David Neal, 41, were each arrested without incident.
While processing the relatives at the magistrate’s office a short time later, deputies said they learned that another suspect, Tevin Marquette Smith, whose residence is also on George Brown Road, had actually been in bed at the Neals’ home during the duo’s apprehension.
When officers asked the mother and son if anyone else was inside the house at the time of the arrest, the pair denied the presence of additional people, deputies said.
The Sheriff’s Office team later returned to the home to serve Smith warrants.
Officers said his girlfriend and their child were also at the dwelling.
Deputies have been ordered to, while on routine patrol, pick up remaining suspects wanted in the operation.
The Sheriff’s Office has also asked the public’s help in locating at-large suspects.
Anyone with information on the individuals’ whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (704) 732-9050 or the Communications Center at (704) 735-8202.
In an agency press release, Reid also encouraged citizens to contact his unit’s Drug Tip Line at (704) 736-8606 with any tips they may have on possible drug activity in the area. Tips may remain anonymous, he said.
The following individuals have been arrested in the operation:
Billie Ann Neal, 59, of 973 George Brown Rd. in Crouse was charged with one count each of sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance. A $25,000 secured bond was set.
Jonathan David Neal, 41, of 973 George Brown Rd. in Crouse was charged with one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance. A $20,000 secured bond was set.
Jodi Ann Marie Brock, 24, of 1505 Laboratory Rd. Trailer 17 in Lincolnton was charged with one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance along with two counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule I controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule I controlled substance. A $40,000 secured bond was set.
Billy Wayne Self, 23, of 321 Dave Peterson Ln. in Vale was charged with one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance. A $20,000 secured bond was set.
Isaac David Moose, 19, of 137 Deaton Ave. in Lincolnton was charged with one count each of trafficking opium by possession, trafficking opium by sale, trafficking opium by delivery, possession with intent to sell and deliver a counterfeit controlled substance and sell and deliver a counterfeit controlled substance. A $50,000 secured bond was set.
Tiffany Elaine Cox, 44, of 3506 Orchard Rd. in Iron Station was charged with two counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance. A $25,000 secured bond was set.
Tevin Marquete Smith, 19, of 1106 George Brown Rd. in Lincolnton was charged with two counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance along with one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance. A $60,000 secured bond was set.
Jeffrey Velazquez, 20, of 1073 Bethel Church Rd. in Lincolnton was charged with two counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance (cocaine) and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance. A $40,000 secured bond was set.
Odell Scott Wilson, 50, of 10 Bolt St. in Shelby was charged with two counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance. A $25,000 secured bond was set.
Nathaniel Zachary Harris, 36, of 123 Openview Dr. in Lincolnton was charged with one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule III controlled substance, sell and deliver a schedule III controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance. A $25,000 secured bond was set.
Rafael Juaves Martinez, 51, of 4135 Baxter Rd. in Cherryville was charged with four counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance. A $25,000 secured bond was set.
Anthony Armando Tenorio, 17, of 3915 Benny Shrum Ln. in Maiden was charged with one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance. A $20,000 secured bond was set.
Robert Survanus Elmore, 65, of 2631 Will Schronce Rd. in Iron Station was charged with two counts each of trafficking opiates by sale, trafficking opiates by delivery and trafficking opiates by possession. A $65,000 secured bond was set.
James Allen Harris, 50, of 2126 Underwood Ln. in Lincolnton was charged with one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance. A $15,000 bond was set.
Brandon Lee Friday, 22, of 5297 Maybank Ln. in Vale was charged with two counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance along with one count each of possession with intent to manfacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance. A $35,000 secured bond was set.
Bradley Allen Miller, 23, of 968 Ivey Church Rd. in Lincolnton was charged with one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance. A $15,000 secured bond was set.
Karen Grant Byers, 42, of 2631 Will Schronce Rd. in Iron Station is wanted on three counts each of trafficking opium by sale, trafficking opium by possession, and trafficking opium by delivery along with one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance.
Billie Jo Travis, 38, of 7199 W. N.C. 27 in Vale was charged with three counts each of possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance, two counts of conspiracy to sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance. A $35,000 secured bond was set.
David Alan Hopkins, 29, of 2852 Barrett Baxter Rd. in Newton was charged with six counts of sell and deliver a schedule I controlled substance, two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule I controlled substance and four counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule I controlled substance. A $40,000 bond was set.
Mary Renee McCaslin, 36, of 2852 Barrett Baxter Dr. in Newton was charged with one count each of possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule I controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule I controlled substance. A $7,500 secured bond was set.
Kimberly Nicole Parker, 22, of 331 Cooper Rd. in Vale is wanted on one count each of trafficking opiates by possession, trafficking opiates by sale and trafficking opiates by delivery. A $30,000 secured bond was set.
Michael Thomas Taylor, 46, of 1210 North Tryon St. in Charlotte is wanted on two counts each of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, trafficking opiates and possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, three counts of common law forgery and uttering and one count each of attempting to traffic opiates and attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud. A $65,000 secured bond was set.
The following individuals remain at-large in the operation (as of 9 p.m. Thursday):
Emmnauel Edwardo Baker Jr., 24, of 131 Ervin Ln. in Iron Station is wanted on one count each of conspiracy, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance.
Angle Rodriquez Baza, 43, of 4135 Baxter Rd. in Cherryville is wanted on one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and two counts of sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance.
Christopher Antonio Bynum, 28, of 4564 N.C. 73 in Iron Station is wanted on three counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance along with one count of conspiracy to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance.
Jason Dakota Campbell, 22, of 1901 Maiden Salem Rd. in Maiden is wanted on two counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance.
Emily Nicole Cook, 22, of 5081 Ike Cir. in Granite Falls is wanted on one count of conspiracy to sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance.
Dashawn Jafone Edwards, 19, of 7309 Hidden Creek Dr. in Charlotte is wanted on one count each of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, trafficking opiates and common law uttering of a forged instrument.
Charles Montgomery Fitzgerald, 57, of 1780 Fitzgerald-Stowe Ln. in Lincolnton is wanted on one count of manufacturing methamphetamine.
Harold Lee Gilbert, 61, of 431 Alexis High Shoals Rd. in Alexis is wanted on one count each of trafficking opiates by sale, trafficking opiates by possession and trafficking opiates by delivery.
Brandon Sherod Harbison, 24, of 7266 Hallman Mill Rd. in Vale is wanted on one count each of possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance.
Derek Allen Harris, 25, of 209 Hawks Bill Dr. in Lincolnton is wanted on one count each of possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance.
Brian Maurice Holden, 27, of 1410 Spring St., Apt. 6, in Charlotte is wanted on one count each of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, trafficking in opiates and common law forgery and uttering.
David Vaughn Lingafelt Jr., 24, of 2865 Fairview Dr. in Gastonia is wanted on one count each of attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud, attempting to traffic opiates and common law uttering a forged instrument.
Anthony Lee McArn, 29, of 4079 Angel Ln. in Maiden is wanted on two counts each of trafficking opiates by possession, trafficking opiates by sale and trafficking opiates by delivery.
Bridget Kopelakis Roberts, 53, of 426 William Hooper Cir. in Hillsborough, N.C., is wanted on one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance.
Christopher Dale Robinson, 21, of 5548 Bill Sain Rd. in Vale is wanted on three counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule I controlled substance, sell and deliver a schedule I controlled substance along with one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance and sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance.
Fitzgerald Kennedy Stevenson, 49, of 5800 Fairview Rd., Apt. 105, in Charlotte is wanted on two counts each of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, possession of a schedule III controlled substance and common law forgery and uttering along with one count of trafficking opium.
Triesa Jane White, 30, whose address is unknown, is wanted on one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance.
Contributed ABOVE: Suspects apprehended in “Operation Top 40” include: (top, from left) Tiffany Cox, Odell Wilson, Jodi Brock, Billy Self, Billie Neal, Nate Harris, James Allen Harris, Billie Jo Travis, Bradley Miller, Anthony Tenorio and (bottom, from left) Tevin Smith, Jonathan Neal, Jeffrey Velazquez, Isaac Moose, Tallent, Robert Elmore, Brandon Friday, Mary McCaslin, Rafael Martinez and David Hopkins.
Images courtesy of