News

Defendants get prison time for multiple felonies

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 20, 2023

Numerous defendants pleaded guilty to crimes that included simple drug possession, felony possession of a firearm, indecent liberties with a child, armed robbery and drug trafficking during the most recent two-week session of Henderson County Criminal Superior Court, District Attorney Andrew Murray announced.

Among the most serious offenses:

• Abel Carbajal-Gonzalez, 29, of East Flat Rock, pleaded guilty to trafficking in cocaine and conspiring to traffic in cocaine. According to court records and the sentencing hearing, on Oct. 23, 2019, the SBI along with the Henderson County Drug Task Force, after a lengthy investigation involving countless hours of surveillance and numerous confidential informant-controlled drug purchases, executed an arrest warrant for Abel Carbajal-Gonzalez, along with a warrant for his residence at 104 Jody Street (unit A) in East Flat Rock. As a result of the executed warrants, over 5 ounces of cocaine, several guns, and a plethora of drug paraphernalia were confiscated. Carbajal-Gonzalez was taken into custody without incident. In court, he entered a guilty plea to trafficking in cocaine and conspiring with others to traffic in cocaine. Chief Resident Superior Court Judge Peter Knight accepted the plea arrangement and sentenced Carbajal-Gonzalez to a consolidated sentence of five years 10 months to seven years 11 months in prison and ordered him to pay a mandatory minimum fine of $50,000.
• Charles W. Tozer, 37, of Asheville, pleaded guilty to robbery with a dangerous weapon for the armed robbery of a Shell gas station in Fletcher on March 26, 2022. The defendant displayed a black revolver to a gas station employee and then proceeded to forcefully remove cash from the register. On the same day as the robbery, Fletcher detectives appealed for public assistance via social media, along with pictures of the defendant. Shortly after the broadcast, detectives received a tip identifying the perpetrator. The information was corroborated with evidence collected at the crime scene, including a partial palm print. Tozer was arrested pursuant to an issued warrant. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years 11 months to nine years five months in prison.
• Dax E. Suarez, 42, of Hendersonville, pleaded guilty to operating a continuing criminal enterprise. To win a conviction on the charge, prosecutors must prove the defendant violated a series of continuing felony drug laws and acted as a manager in concert with five or more other violators. In addition, the state must prove the defendant gained a substantial income or resources from his/her drug enterprise. Through a multiple-month extensive investigation, the Henderson County Drug Task Force was able to establish that Suarez, along with many others, was involved in the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine in Henderson County and the surrounding area. Investigators were able to establish probable cause on Dec. 20, 2019, for a blue light stop of a vehicle operated by Suarez. An inspection of the vehicle rendered multiple ounces of methamphetamine. The defendant was arrested without incident. Suarez pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years 11 months to nine years five months maximum in prison as part of a plea arrangement.

Murray thanked state and local law enforcement officers for their professional investigations, hard work, selfless sacrifices and unwavering commitment to protecting the lives of Henderson County residents. Through their tireless efforts, numerous lives have undoubtedly been saved, he said.