Andrews man charged with trafficking meth

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Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the July 12, 2021 arrest of 43-year-old David Nathaniel Jones on charges stemming for violations of the North Carolina Controlled Substances Statutes.
On July 08, 2021, Deputies of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance call in front of the Legends Arcade on West U.S. 64, Murphy North Carolina. The nature of the disturbance was an individual was possibly overdosing. Upon arriving the Deputies found Jones and a Keifer Whitener to be the center of the disturbance. While investigating the nature of the call, Deputies found several baggies of suspected methamphetamine and suspected heroin packaged in a manner as if for sale.
Jones and Whitener were arrested and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center where they were booked and placed under secure bonds.
On July 12, 2021 Detectives received an anonymous tip that Jones had secreted controlled substances into the Detention Center. Following up on the information Jones was found to be in possession of heroin/fentanyl hidden in his person in at least two of his body cavities.
The illegal controlled substances were seized. Jones was taken before the magistrate who found probable cause and set an additional $200,000.00 secure bond for Trafficking in Opium or Heroin and Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Confinement Facility.
Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “We are continuing this investigation. We feel confident the controlled substances that were found from the original arrest will connect with that found in Mr. Jones. We are hoping with the installation of the body scanner we can slow and even stop the flow of drugs into the detention center.The team work in this case is outstanding and proves that working together has positive results. We want to thank our good citizen tipster and encourage our public to continue to help.”
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Murphy man arrested for trafficking meth

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murphy man meth

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the July 10, 2021 arrest of 44-year-old Adrian Nicklas Ball for charges stemming for violations of the North Carolina Controlled Substances statutes.

In February 2021, Investigators of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received information that Ball was involved in the illegal distribution of drugs in Cherokee County. Pursuant to that information, an investigation was conducted and a search warrant was executed at the Hedden Road, Murphy North Carolina address of Ball.
During the search several items including a trafficking amount of methamphetamine, U.S. currency, illegal items to ingest controlled substances.

Ball was arrested at his Hedden Road residence and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center where he was served with warrants for TRAFFICKING IN METHAMPHETAMINE, POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE, and MAINTAINING A DWELLING.

Ball was given a $100,000.00 secure bond which he made the next day. Ball has a July 15, 2021, Cherokee County District Court date.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “We appreciate the public’s assistance in providing information to make this search, seizure, and arrest. Again teamwork helps in our battle with drugs in Cherokee County North Carolina.”

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Three arrested in methamphetamine distribution conspiracy

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Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the February 26, 2021 arrest of 53-year-old Terry Leon Simmons of Andrews, North Carolina, 43-year-old Tina Jane Hill of Marble, North Carolina, and 39-year-old Keith Ryan Noles also of Marble, North Carolina for conspiring to possess crystal methamphetamine.
In October 2020, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search in Marble, North Carolina, the residence of Hill and Noles. In the search, a trafficking amount of methamphetamine and several firearms were seized. From that search Hill and Noles were charged for trafficking in methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm. Hill and Noles subsequently were released on secure bonds.
During the last week of February 2021, with the assistance of agents with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, North Carolina ALE, and Detectives of the Macon County Sheriff’s Office a joint investigation resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine and additional firearms and other suspected illegally possessed controlled substances destined for Cherokee County, North Carolina.
Keith Ryan Noles, and Tina Jane Hill were arrested and are currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center for Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine in excess of 400 grams. Both are under a $300,000.00 secure bond.
Terry Leon Simmons was arrested and is also charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine in excess of 400 grams. Simmons at the time of arrest had an additional amount of methamphetamine and paraphernalia on his person. Simmons is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $350,000.00 secure bond.
Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “This has been a total team effort by our office working in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. This is a large seizure and as we continue our investigation we anticipate additional arrests in the future. Further, as you can see these individuals continue their criminal activities even after the arrest. We appreciate and are glad for the cooperation of our federal, state, and local partners in these endeavors.”
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Drugs and cash found during house search

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Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced on February 11, 2021, a search of a residence in Murphy North Carolina located a large amount of methamphetamine and U.S. currency which was seized. Additional items were seized during the search and will be submitted for analysis.

During the search of the residence 32-year-old Justin Phillips was arrested for PROBATION VIOLATION, FLEE/ELUDE ARREST WITH A MOTOR VEHICLE, RECKLESS DRIVING TO ENDANGER, DRIVE LEFT OF CENTER, and was detained at the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $20,000.00 secure bond. Phillips’ charges were unrelated to the search.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “I want to point out this was a large quantity of methamphetamine, a very dangerous drug, that was taken off the street. We continue our fight against those that are poisoning our streets. However, we are not in the fight alone and I encourage anyone that has information to make use of the tip lines. Together we can make the difference for our community and our children.”

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Two Blue Ridge residents arrested in Cherokee NC

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MURPHY, N.C. – Cherokee County Sheriff Deputies discovered drugs, drug paraphernalia, stolen firearm, and cash on tow Blue Ridge, Georgia individuals while conducting a traffic stop on September 1.

Law enforcement stopped Haley Farr, 21, and James Willingham, 36, and after Farr failed to stop at a red light. They shortly uncovered 8.7 oz of methamphetamine in their possession along with various other stolen goods.

Haley Farr

Deputies arrested Farr on charges of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of stolen firearm, carry conceal, failure to stop at a red light, fictitious tag, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine, and Maintain vehicle, dwelling place.  Her bond was set at $100,000.00

Willingham was arrested for conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, possession of stolen goods, failure to appear, and extradition of fugitive from another state. He bond was set at $67,500.00.

James Willingham

Six arrested in North Carolina on federal drug charges

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Murphy, NC – Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer reported Feb. 24 arrest of six individuals on federal charges for illegally possessing and distributing controlled substances.

The arrests followed an investigation that consisted of several state and federal agencies.

The following individuals were charged on federal indictments:

Matthew Wondra

Matthew Wondra – 1 count of conspiracy to distribute crystal methamphetamine, 4 counts of distribution of crystal methamphetamine, 2 counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and 1 count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Leslie Cartwright

Jamie Allen – 1 count of conspiracy to distribute crystal methamphetamine and 1 count of possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine.

Derek Wilson – 1 count of conspiracy to distribute crystal methamphetamine and 1 count of possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine (in custody of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office).

Derek Wilson

Leslie Cartwright – 1 count of possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine.

Brian Majercik – 1 count of possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine.

Christopher Price – 3 counts of possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine, 2 counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and 2 counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

Christopher Price

Agencies Involved:

DEA-Asheville Post of Duty / Western North Carolina HIDTA is comprised of the following:

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
Swain County Sheriff’s Office
Cherokee Indian Police Department – to include their SWAT Team
Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office
Asheville Police Department
Henderson County Sheriff’s Office
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
Drug Enforcement Administration
Bureau of Indian Affairs

federal drug charges

Brian Majercik

Assisting agencies:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
United States Postal Inspector Service

Sheriff Palmer said “We are glad to work with these agencies to help with the illegal distribution of controlled substances in Cherokee County. We will continue to work with our federal partners to address the continued drug problems we face.”

federal drug charges

Jamie Allen

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