News

Pair jailed under high bonds for alleged drug trafficking

By Lightning Reports, Published: May 20, 2022

EAST FLAT ROCK — An East Flat Rock man was jailed under a $1.9 million bond and a Candler woman locked up on a $358,000 bond after deputies arrested them on multiple drug trafficking felonies Wednesday.

When Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force deputies conducting surveillance on a residence at 306 West Blue Ridge Road spotted a vehicle leaving the residence, they observed the driver make traffic violations, the sheriff's office said.

After a traffic stop,deputies found approximately 461 grams of methamphetamine, 4.4 grams of cocaine and $2,100 cash in the vehicloe. The driver of the vehicle, Ernesto Bautista, 28, of Candler, was taken into custody and charged with felony trafficking in methamphetamine, felony possession of schedule ii controlled substance and felony conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. She was jailed in the Henderson County Detention Facility under a $358,000 bond.


Based on surveillance of the residence and the evidence obtained during the vehicle search, deputies executed a search warrant at 306 West Blue Ridge Road. During the search investigators seized 272 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 2.7 grams of pyscoblin mushrooms, 2 grams of cocaine and $1,926 in cash.

Marisela Mendoza, 43, was charged with felony trafficking in methamphetamine, felony possession with intent to sell/deliver
felony maintain a dwelling for sell/distribution of controlled substances, felony possession schedule i controlled substance
possession of drug paraphernalia, felony sell/distribute controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school, felony trafficking in methamphetamine, felony conspiracy to traffick methamphetamine and driving while license revoked. Mendoza was jailed in the Henderson County Detention Facility under a $1.9 million bond.