News

Law officers begin roundup in meth crackdown

By Bill Moss, Published: October 12, 2013

Henderson County sheriff's deputies, Hendersonville police and the State Bureau of Investigation began a roundup of 29 people indicted after an investigation into a large scale methamphetamine distribution and conspiracy.

The investigation began in June 2012 and to date have resulted in the seizure of over $42,000 in cash, four weapons, two automobiles, 32 grams of cocaine, 2603.3 grams (5.74 lbs) of methamphetamine and 84 grams of marijuana. The drugs seized have a street value in excess of $265,000.The arrests, along with true bills of indictment issued by a Henderson County Grand Jury on Sept. 30, targeted several high-level distributors of methamphetamine in the Henderson County area, the sheriff's department said in a news release.

To date 24 of the twenty-nine (29) persons indicted or having warrants issued against them have been arrested. Those arrested were:

(1) Amanda Lee Pressley, 30, of Hendersonville for trafficking methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of methamphetamine. Her bond was set at $16,000.
(2) Margaret Rosemary Gibbs, 50 of Hendersonville was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of methamphetamine. Her bond was set at $16,000.
(3) Laura Kathleen Robinson, 44, of Hendersonville was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Her bond was set at $8000.
(4) Christopher Thomas Pressley, 26, of Etowah was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. His bond was set at $10,000.
(5) Clyde Coleman Forrest, 56, of Zirconia was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of methamphetamine. His bond was set at $8000.
(6) Rhonda Allison Forrest, 52, Zirconia was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of methamphetamine. Her bond was set at $15,000.
(7) Thomas Barry Heatherly, 48, of Hendersonville was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. His bond was set at $8000.
(8) Marcos José Hernandaz, 32, of Hendersonville was charged with conspiracy to sell and deliver methamphetamine. His bond was set at $30,000.
(9) David Benjamin Nelson, 28, of Zirconia was charged with conspiracy to sell and deliver methamphetamine, sale of methamphetamine, possession with intent to manufacture, sale and deliver methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of methamphetamine, maintain a vehicle for the purpose of sale and delivery of methamphetamine and failure to appear on driving while impaired. His bond was set at $60,500.
(10)Tina Louise Stamey, 43, of Clyde was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Her bond was set at $8000.
(11)Felipe Lee Villafranca , 24, of Hendersonville was charged with contempt of court, failure to appear on the possession of stolen property. His bond was set at $1000.
(12)William Bradley Keller, 25, of Hendersonville was charged with order for arrest, contempt of court and his bond was set at $300.
(13)Araceli Sanchez-Jaramillo, 23, of Hendersonville was charged with felony possession of Schedule II cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $12,500.
(14)José Gomez-Sanchez, 22, of Hendersonville was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. His bond was set at $10,000.
(15)Juan Carlos Cruz-Magna , 31, of Hendersonville was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to sell methamphetamine. His bond was set at $60,000.
(16)Francisco Gomez-Jaramillo, 28, of Hendersonville was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, trafficking methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of methamphetamine. His bond was set at $30,000.
(17)Juan Miquel Vasquez-Ortiz , 24, of Hendersonville was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, trafficking methamphetamine and conspiracy to sell methamphetamine. His bond was set at $105,000.
(18)Raul Aceves-Rizo, 39, of Fletcher was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of methamphetamine. His bond was set at $60,000.
(19)Jorge Piquet-Terron, 20 of Zirconia was charged with felony possession of marijuana, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, felony maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of a controlled substance and trafficking methamphetamine. His bond was set at $60,000.
(20)Heather Lynn Sam's 23, of Hendersonville was indicted for possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine. She is currently in the custody of the North Carolina Department of Corrections.
(21)Raymond Ortiz Florez Jr, 23 of Hendersonville was charged with possession with intent to sell methamphetamine, conspiracy to sell methamphetamine, and maintaining a vehicle for the purpose of the sale of methamphetamine. His bond was set at $16,000.
(22)Sidney Thomas Nalley, 56 , of Hendersonville was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia conspiracy to sell methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of selling delivery of methamphetamine. His bond was set at $9500.
(23)Richard Scott Justice age 44, of Flat Rock was charged with conspiracy to sell methamphetamine. His bond was set at $1600.

The following persons have been indicted and have yet to be arrested. If anyone knows the whereabouts of any of these individuals, please contact the Henderson County Sheriff's Office at 828-697-4911.

(1) Raul Robles Caravajal , 43, of Zirconia is indicted on trafficking methamphetamine conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of methamphetamine.
(2) Lorin Viola Rutherford, age 33, of Hendersonville is indicted on possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine.
(3) Jason Christopher Dills , 39, of Hendersonville is indicted on possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine.
(4) Kevin Nicholas Schonderwoerd 43, of Hendersonville is indicted on conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine.
(5) José Alfredo Dominguez Aguilar , 23, of Hendersonville is indicted on conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine.

Also indicted by the Henderson County Grand Jury in a separate methamphetamine related case was Elisa Serna. Serna, 47, of 226 Shorty Collins Drive, East Flat Rock, was charged with 2 counts of trafficking methamphetamine and 2 counts of maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of methamphetamine . Her bond was set at $30,000 and she remains in the Henderson County Detention Facility.