Two Arrested During Traffic Stop For Cocaine

Wednesday afternoon, March 28, 2019, Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics agents arrested Michael Dennis Mullins, age 53, of 1017 Eakes Road, Sanford, and Michelle Chavis Hales, age 51, of 3516 Renee Drive, Sanford.

During the course of a vehicle stop agents learned that both Mullins and Hales were in possession of crack form Cocaine. Agents transported both Mullins and Hales to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for processing.

Michael Dennis Mullins was charge with one count of felony possession of (one dosage unit) cocaine, one count of felony maintaining a vehicle used for the storage and sales of an illegal controlled substance, and one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Mullins was also issued a uniform citation for operating a vehicle while his driver’s license were revoked.

Michelle Chavis Hales was charged with felony possession (5 dosage units) with the intent to sell and deliver crack cocaine, one count of felony maintaining a vehicle used for the storage and sells of an illegal controlled substance, and one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. 
Both Michael Dennis Mullins and Michelle Chavis Hales were jailed under a $15,000.00 secured bond.    

Dudley Ave Search Warrant Nets Drugs and Two Arrests

Axavier Johnson                     Samuel Burch

March 25, 2019 - Lee County Sheriff’s Narcotics agents executed a search warrant on the property located at 408 Dudley Avenue, Sanford. 

Upon entry to the residence, agents located and detained the primary resident Samuel Bernard Burch Jr. and roommate Axavier Marco Johnson their inside.


During the course of the search, agents located 1.3 grams of heroin, and 4.3 grams of “MOLLY” which is slang for an illegal street drug. “MOLLY” is often thought to be a pure form of the illegal street drugs Ecstasy of MDMA. 

Agents arrested Samuel Bernard Burch Jr., age 31, of 408 Dudley Avenue and roommate Axavier Marco Johnson, age 43, previously known address of 6384 Ramsey Street, Linden, NC. Agents transported both Burch and Johnson to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to be processed and charged. 

Samuel Bernard Burch Jr. was charged with two counts of possession with the intent to sell and deliver MMDA/Ecstasy, one count of sell and deliver MMDA/Ecstasy, one count of possession with the intent to sell and deliver heroin, two counts of felony maintaining a dwelling place used for the storage and sells of illegal controlled substances, one count of felony possession of illegal controlled substances within 1000 foot of a day care, and two counts of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Samuel Bernard Burch Jr. was jailed under a $50,000.00 secured bond.

Axavier Marco Johnson was charged with one count of possession with the intent to sell and deliver MMDA/Ecstasy, one count of possession with the intent to sell and deliver heroin, one count of felony maintaining a dwelling place used for the storage and sells of illegal controlled substances, one count of felony possession of illegal controlled substances within 1000ft of a day care, and one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Axavier Marco Johnson was jailed under a $20,000.00 secured bond. 

Cooper Store Road Man Arrested for Cocaine

On Friday March 15, 2019 Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics agents arrested Joel Ellis Yates, age 53, of 130 Cooper Store Road, Sanford.

Agents found Yates in possession of two tenths of a gram of crack form cocaine. Agents transported Yates to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and processed Yates with one count of possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine, one count of felony maintaining a vehicle used for the storage and sells of illegal controlled substance, and one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Yates was jailed under a $5,000.00 secured bond.

St. Andrews Road Man Arrested for Drugs

On Sunday March 17, 2019 Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics agents arrested Gregory Wayne Bowling, age 54, of 991 St. Andrews Road, Sanford.

Agents found Bowling in possession of one tenth of a gram of heroin.

Agents transported Bowling to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and processed Bowling for one count of possession of Fentanyl, one count of possession of Heroin, and one count of felony maintaining a vehicle used to store and use illegal controlled substances.

Bowling was jailed under a $7,500.00 secured bond.

Two 18 Year Olds Arrested for Drugs During Traffic Stop

Tyjon Snipes

On Wednesday March 20, 2019 Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics agents assisted Lee County uniform deputies with a traffic stop on Highway 87 South. Deputies stopped a vehicle for speeding. In the course of investigation deputies found that the occupants of the vehicle were in possession of marijuana and a concealed firearm.

Agents responded and took Ccaleb Raul James Arevalo, age 18, of 134 Chownings Drive, Sanford, and Tyjon Philandus Snipes, age 18, of 112 Variety Lane, Sanford into custody. Agents transported both Arevalo and Snipes to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for processing.

Arevalo was processed and charged with one count of felony carrying a concealed weapon. Arevalo was jailed under no bond.

Snipes was processed and charged with one count of possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana, one count of felony maintaining a vehicle used to store and sale an illegal controlled substance, one count of misdemeanor possession of carrying a concealed firearm, and one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.  Snipes was jailed under a $11,000.00 secured bond.

Lee County NC To Assist Lee County Alabama Following Tornado

An EF-4 tornado struck the small community of Lee County, Alabama, killing at least 23, injuring many more and leaving over 50 families completely homeless.

We too have felt the impact of such a disaster when our own county was struck by an EF-3 in 2011. 

Let’s help our “sister county” in Alabama by donating needed items!

Per Alabama Emergency Management officials, the following items are requested;

Sheets, Comforters & Pillows
Towels & Washcloths
Toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, oral care, etc)
Kitchen items; Plates, Cups, Flatware, Kitchen Utensils,
Food Storage Containers, Aluminum Foil, Ziploc Bags
NOAA Weather Radios with batteries

Drop Off Locations:

Lee Co Sheriff’s Office – 1401 Elm St (During Business Hours)
Nutrishop - 3264 NC HWY 87 South, Sanford (10am-8pm)
FirstHealth Fitness - 2925 Beechtree Dr., Sanford (10am-10pm)
Grace Chapel - 2605 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Sanford (Business Hours)

Knottwood Drive Arrested; $500K Bond Set

On Wednesday March 13, 2019 Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics agents arrested Carl Wilson Haymore Jr., age 44, of 83 Knottwood Drive, Sanford.

Agents processed Haymore for 3 counts of trafficking opium/heroin by possession, 3 counts of trafficking opium/heroin by sell, 2 counts of trafficking opium/heroin by transportation, one count of felony possession of a controlled substance 1000 foot a school, 3 counts of felony maintaining a vehicle used for the sales of an illegal controlled substance, and three counts of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Haymore was jailed under a $500,000.00 secured bond. 

Rice Road Man Arrested for Drugs and Outstanding Warrants

On Tuesday March 12, 2019 Lee County Sheriff’s Narcotics agents arrested Richard Alan Crouch, age 34, of 2113 Rice Road, Sanford.

In the course of a traffic stop agents discovered Crouch had attempted to conceal, approximately 1.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine inside a vehicle Crouch was occupying. Crouch also had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear, issued by Lee county court.

Agents transported Crouch to the Lee County Sheriff’s for processing. Agents charged Crouch with one count of possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, and one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Crouch was jailed under a $5,000.00 secured bond.

Kenan Drive Man Arrested for Cocaine

On Thursday March 14, 2019 Lee County Narcotics agents arrested Irvin L. Hampton, age 47, of 2021 Kenan Drive, Sanford. 

Agents processed and charged Hampton with, one count of possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine, one count of sell and deliver cocaine, and one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Hampton was jailed under a $5,000.00 secured bond. 

Willow Oak Drive Man Arrested for Heroin

On Thursday March 14, 2019 Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics agents arrested Charles Alexander McLean Jr., age 28, of 600 Willow Oak Drive, Sanford.

Agents processed and charged McLean with, three counts of possession with the intent to sell and deliver heroin, three counts of sell and deliver heroin, and three counts of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

McLean was jailed under a $30,000.00 secured bond. 

Fayetteville Man Arrested During Traffic Stop for 726 Grams of Cocaine

Sunday March 3, 2019 Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics agent’s assisted Lee County uniform deputies with a traffic stop on U.S. Highway #1 north near the Colon Road exit. 
Deputies had stopped a vehicle for an unsafe movement violation. 

Deputies discovered the operator Bashaun Jamille Mcallister age 42, of 1311 Tree Place Drive, Fayetteville was operating a vehicle while his license revoked.

In the course of the stop, agents located 726 grams of powder form cocaine, hidden in the passenger area of a 2011 Cadillac Escalade. Mcallister, attempted to flee on foot from deputies but was captured and taken into custody. Agents transported Mcallister to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for processing. 

Mcallister was processed and charged with one count of trafficking Cocaine by transportation, one count of trafficking Cocaine by possession, one count of felony maintaining a vehicle for the storage and sell of an illegal controlled substance. Mcallister was cited for driving while licensed revoked, unsafe movement, and for resist delay and obstruct a government official. The estimated street value of the seized narcotics is $145,000.00.  

Mcallister was jailed under a $250,000.00 secured bond.

Sanford Man Arrested for Heroin

On Thursday March 7, 2019 Lee County Narcotics agents arrested Ernest Gene Wilson II, age 46, of 1107 Walden Street, Sanford. 

Wilson was processed and charged with two counts of possession with the intent to sell and deliver heroin, two counts of sell and deliver heroin, and two counts of misdemeanor possession drug paraphernalia. 

Wilson was jailed under a $15,000.00 secured bond.

Operation Medicine Drop

By providing safe and secure ways for people to get rid of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications, Operation Medicine Drop helps prevent accidental poisonings and drug abuse while protecting our waters.

As a reminder, our drop box is located inside the Sheriff's Office (1401 Elm St) and can be accessed during normal business hours, Monday - Friday.

The following items ARE accepted:

Prescriptions

Prescription patches

Prescription medications

Prescription ointments

Over the counter medications

Vitamins

Samples

Medications for pets

The following items ARE NOT accepted:

Hydrogen peroxide

Thermometers

Needles

Medications from business or clinics

Ointments, lotions or liquids

Aerosol cans

Inhalers

Any questions, please contact us at 919-718-4561, ext. 5607 or 5629

Cameron Man Arrested for Drugs

On Sunday morning, March 3, 2019 Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics agents arrested Kevin Ray Woody, age 34, of 6545 Old Jefferson Davis Highway, Cameron, NC.

Agents found Woody in possession of 15 dosage units of Levorphanol Tartrate, a schedule II controlled substance, and seven dosage units of Morphine, which is also a schedule II controlled substance.

Woody was charged by agents with two counts of possession with the intent to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance, and one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Woody was jailed under a $10,000.00 secured bond.

Homicide Investigation

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 6, 2019

3/6/2019 @ 1:00 AM Kenneth Earl Allen (37) of 207 Rascob Rd. Sanford NC was arrested at 306 McIver St. in Sanford. (Vacant) Allen was charged with the murder of Norma Smith Brown which occurred at her residence of 143 Polly Ln. Sanford NC on March 3^rd, 2019.

Lee County Sheriff Detectives, acting on a tip from the public, which lead them to evidence in the case and Allen.

Allen was charged with 1^st degree murder, 1^st degree burglary, robbery w/ a dangerous weapon, larceny of a motor vehicle and possessing stolen goods; he was held under no bond.

Allen will have a 1^st appearance in Lee County Court this morning.

March 3, 2019

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide at 143 Polly Ln. Sanford. Deputies were called to that location at 7:54 PM after a family member found Norma Smith Brown (80) of that address, deceased. This is being investigated as a homicide.

Anyone having information on this case is urged to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 919-775-5531 or the tip line 919-718-4477.