More than a dozen people are facing criminal charges and warrants have been issued for several more after a drug-trafficking investigation at several ABC businesses in Henderson and Vance County.
According to North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, special agents began investigating in January 2026 after several complaints of loitering and harassment by suspected drug dealers at several establishments.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Officials said ALE special agents purchased trafficking amounts of controlled substances from suspects, including gang members, sex offenders, runaways and others with violent criminal history.
More than half a pound of cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine were seized during the investigation, officials said. MDMA, opioids, heroin, $5,479 in cash and 10 guns, which agents say were primarily possessed by convicted felons, were also seized in the investigation.
During the investigation, agents said key participants in the trafficking operation collaborated with gangs to distribute drugs into the local community. Agents also discovered evidence that illicit drugs were being made inside homes where children were present.
Agents also arrested three people who were accused of armed robbery during the investigation, including a 15-year-old.
Illegal gambling machines were also found at several businesses involved in the illegal drug trafficking. Four locations were searched, including 4U Country Store, Park and Play, New Hope Mini Mart and Williamsboro Grocery.
Officals said officers seized illegal gaming equipment as well as $35,677 in cash.
ALE finished their operation on June 17 and June 18 with help from Henderson Police, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation. Officials said seven search warrants and arrested or obtained warrants for more than 15 people on a combined total of more than 170 charges.
Criminal charges are as follows:
Dermale Alphonso Durham, 38, of Henderson
- Two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine
- Possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana
- Two counts of selling cocaine
- Two counts of delivering cocaine
- Sell marijuana
- Deliver marijuana
Michael Joseph Gill, 46, of Oxford
- Two counts of trafficking cocaine
- Manufacture, sell, deliver, possess a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school
- Conspire to Traffick Cocaine
Zyquaveon Hargrove, 20, of Henderson
- Robbery with a dangerous weapon
- Conspire to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon
- Possession with intent to sell or deliver counterfeit controlled substances
Reginald Tyrone Harris, 54, of Henderson
- Possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine
- Possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana
- Misd. possess drug paraphernalia
Tatianna Hinton, 24, of Oxford
- Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
- Conspire to Commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substances
- Promote Drug Sales by a Minor
- Misd. Carrying Concealed Gun
- Misd. Assault by Pointing a Gun
- Misd. Possess Marijuana up to ½ ounce
Maurice Gerod Kearney, 36, of Henderson
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Ecstasy
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
- Maintaining a Dwelling for a Controlled Substance
- Misd. Possess/Sell Non-Tax Paid Liquor
- Misd. Possess Marijuana up to ½ ounce
- Misd. Possess Marijuana Paraphernalia
- Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia
Richard Cliffton Newman, 46, of Norlina
- Obtain Property by False Pretense
Barry Oneil Reavis, 46, of Henderson
- Possession of a Firearm by Felon
- Three counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine
- Three counts of maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance
- Nine counts of trafficking cocaine
- Three counts of selling cocaine
- Three counts of delivering cocaine
- Four counts of conspiring to sell cocaine
- Four counts of conspiring to deliver cocaine
- Three counts of conspiring to traffick cocaine
- Misd. possess marijuana up to ½ ounce
- Misd. possess marijuana paraphernalia
- Misd. possess drug paraphernalia
Jonathan Allan Rhodes, 37, of Henderson
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Heroin
- Maintaining a Vehicle for a Controlled Substance
- Misd. Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance
- Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia
Mario Antwon Solomon, 50, of Henderson
- Possession of a Firearm by Felon
- Carrying a Concealed Gun
- Three counts of trafficking methamphetamine
- Trafficking fentanyl
- Manufacturing a Schedule II Substance
- Two counts of conspiring to Sell Methamphetamine
- Conspire to Deliver Methamphetamine
- Sell Methamphetamine
- Deliver Methamphetamine
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
- Sell Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Conspire to Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Misd. Possess Marijuana Paraphernalia
- Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia
Andre Lamont Stevenson, 37, of Norlina
- Misd. allow Unlawful Conduct on Licensed Premises
Frederick Williams, 45, of Henderson
- Possession of a Firearm by Felon
- Five counts of Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
- 11 counts of Trafficking Cocaine
- Two counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine
- Six counts of Sell Cocaine
- Five counts of delivering Cocaine
- Seven counts of conspiring to sell cocaine
- Six counts of conspiring to deliver cociane
- Eight counts of conspiring to traffick cocaine
- Two counts of conspiring to sell methamphetamine
- Conspire to Deliver Methamphetamine
- Conspire to Sell/Deliver Schedule II Substance
- Sell Methamphetamine
- Deliver Methamphetamine
- Sell Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Conspire to Sell Schedule II Substance
Shawn Andre Williams Jr., 18, of Henderson
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substances
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
- Sell of Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substance
The following individuals have active arrest warrants as of June 19:
Christopher Donnel Watkins, 52, of Townsville
- Two counts of Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
- Two counts of selling cocaine
- Two counts of delivering cocaine
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
- Sell Marijuana
- Deliver Marijuana
Jimmy Lee Branch Jr., 51, of Henderson
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
- Sell Cocaine
- Deliver Cocaine
Malik Jones, 24, of Henderson
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
- Sell Marijuana
- Deliver Marijuana
Keith Jones, 49, of Henderson
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
- Sell Cocaine
Antwain Nicholas Quazon Allen, 27, of Henderson
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
- Sell Cocaine
- Deliver Cocaine
The investigation is ongoing and more charges are pending.