Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields announced Friday that 37 individuals have been charged in connection with an extensive two-year investigation into drug trafficking and money laundering. This operation, conducted in collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, resulted in significant local and national arrests.
The investigation uncovered a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine hydrochloride alongside a sophisticated money laundering operation. Authorities seized a substantial amount of contraband and currency, including:
30 kilograms of fentanyl
80 kilograms of methamphetamine
14 kilograms of cocaine
Over $600,000 in cash
This effort was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. The OCDETF program targets high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations by leveraging a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, and multi-agency approach. The program aims to dismantle criminal networks that pose a significant threat to communities across the United States.
“The sale of illicit drugs and the violence often associated with these crimes remain a pressing concern for our community,” said Fields in a press release. “This investigation underscores the importance of partnerships between local, state, and federal agencies. Together, we have made a substantial impact on criminal networks that threaten our streets with death and destruction.”
Below is a list of individuals arrested and charged in connection with this operation. All are currently in federal custody:
Nicholas Tyler Curry, 30, Mount Gilead, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; money laundering conspiracy.
Jimmy Mendoza Arenas, 36, Phoenix, AZ – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; money laundering conspiracy.
Kelly Emanuel Harrington Jr., 31, Candor, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Jerry McClure Jr., 40, Winston Salem, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Christopher Trelonnie Everette, 31, Candor, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Crandal Ortais Ingram, 32, High Point, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; money laundering conspiracy.
Eric Lemar Pollard, 42, Candor, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Anthony Okurtis Rashad Lloyd, 29, High Point, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; money laundering conspiracy.
Trent Dashun Starnes, 28, Mount Gilead, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; money laundering conspiracy.
Ivangianni Valenzuela Gonzalez, 20, Glendale, AZ – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Sammy Soqui, 36, Tucson, AZ – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Abel Gabrehiwet Zeratsion, 30, Winston Salem, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Charles Eugene Robbins, 65, Phoenix, AZ – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Carmen Valenzuela, 37, Glendale, AZ – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; money laundering conspiracy.
Ray Anthony Cozart Jr., 29, Jackson Springs, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Bernard Esquire Cain, 33, Winston Salem, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Nikonda Taye Ingram, 31, High Point, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Adan Villareal-Grajeda, 39, Phoenix, AZ – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Jorge Antonio Lopez-Valdez, 18, Glendale, AZ – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Adrian Devon Hill, 54, Lenoir, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Scottie Perett Stanback, 43, Jackson Springs, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Shaina Aleah Hunt, 27, Fairmont, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; money laundering conspiracy.
Ahmad Rashaun Saunders, 31, Winston Salem, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Lewis Rondez Pratt, 34, Candor, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Precious Sequila Herron, 28, Tucson, AZ – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; money laundering conspiracy.
Saniyah Jenay McCorkle, 19, Cherryville, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Amya Kyonna Gordon, 21, Mount Gilead, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Katey Ann Lamonds, 26, Mount Gilead, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Xavier Fabrice Ellis, 27, Jackson Springs, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Cody Anthony Curry, 29, Tucson, AZ – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; money laundering conspiracy.
Michael William Curtis, 49, Archdale, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Damon Lee Ingram, 46, Candor, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
German Lopez-Gomez, 22, Phoenix, AZ – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Camarius Kison Phillips, 22, Candor, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Terell Myhiem Baldwin, 22, Troy, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Justin Rand Allen, 35, Candor, NC – Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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