Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) said Friday they have busted up a drug ring and have charged an Alto woman with murder.
Agent Mitchell Posey said in a press release the arrests stem from the September overdose death of Adam Hicks, 37, of Mount Airy. Ashley Sosebee, 25, has been charged with felony murder in Hicks' death.
Posey said during the investigation, agents discovered several people in what he called "Hicks' inner circle" who were distributing heroin and oxycodone.
Posey said locations in Carnesville, Mr. AIry, Baldwin and Cornelia were searched. As a result, 17 people were arrested and face charges of violating RICO (Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization Act) as well as various drug offenses.
"Authorities have worked tirelessly to bring the people responsible for the death of Adam Hick to justice," Posey said in the release. "This investigation speaks loudly to opioid dealers that law enforcement will not sit idly on the sidelines as the people in our communities die."
The suspects charged with RICO violation are:
- Ashley Sosebee, 25, Alto (also charged with felony murder);
- Jordan Flanagan, 25, Alto;
- Brandon Burton, 25, Cornelia;
- Dustin Thomas, 22, Alto;
- Grant Martin, 21, Cornelia;
- Jessica Hancock, 23, Clarkesville; and
- Patricia Blacklock, 20, Gainesville.
Other charged in the investigation include:
- Cole Dalton, 19, Alto – Conspiracy to distribute heroin;
- Bud Heaton, 76, Baldwin – Sale of controlled substances Schedule II (Oxycodone), possession of Schedule II with intent to distribute Oxycodone;
- James Heumaneus, 48, Cornelia – Sale of controlled substances Schedule II (Oxycodone);
- Janie Rogers, 49, Carnesville – Sale of Schedule II (Oxycodone), possession of marijuana less than one ounce, possession of controlled substance Schedule II (Oxycodone);
- Karen Shope, 40, Baldwin – Two counts of sale of controlled substance Schedule I (methamphetamine);
- Tina Smelcer, 47, Cornelia – Possession of Schedule II controlled substance;
- Tilynn Ivester, 49, of Baldwin – Possession of Schedule IV controlled substance;
- Brandi Freeman, 33, Mt. Airy – Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and abandonment of dangerous drugs;
- James Chadrick Harrelson, 35, Mt. Airy – Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and abandonment of dangerous drugs;
- Jacqueline Galliher, 44, Mt. Airy – Possession of controlled substance Schedule IV and possession of Schedule II narcotics.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/2/635470/agents-bust-suspected-drug-ring-and-charge-alto-woman-with-murder