A total of 10 people are facing a combined 62 felony drug related charges following the conclusion of Operation Tip Line on Friday. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Team conducted the operation and made the arrests as a direct result of information provided to law enforcement by citizens.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in Operation Tip Line by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), NC State Bureau of Investigation, NC Alcohol Law Enforcement, Louisburg Police and Henderson Police.
Sheriff Kent Winstead said Operation Tip Line began as a result of numerous complaints received by his department on individuals who were allegedly involved in the sale of controlled substances throughout the county. During the last few months, drug unit officers made purchases of the controlled substances from the individuals. During the operation, heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, powder cocaine, marijuana and prescription pills were purchased and seized.
Sheriff Winstead said, “Operation Tip Line is a great example of how information is received from the public, analyzed and then used in intelligence driven investigations. These arrests complement our drug enforcement strategy of addressing both short term and long term investigations that meet the needs of particular communities within our county. Citizen provided information continues to be instrumental to our overall drug enforcement strategy in Franklin County.”
The following suspects were arrested during Operation Tip Line:
Kamia Oshae Jones, 21, Dealous Drive, Zebulon $50,000 Bond
Travis Wesley Jones, 38, Scarboro Drive, Bunn $50,000 Bond
Jerrick Lemont Ellis, 39, Buddys Way, Zebulon $50,000 Bond
David Sidney Smith, 23, Smooth Rider Road, Louisburg $50,000 Bond
Anthony Callie Proctor, 29, Cattle Drive, Zebulon $35,000 Bond
Thomas Joseph Wilkins, 22, Bridle Trail, Youngsville $40,000 Bond
Shawn Andre Alston, 45, Baileys Creek, Kittrell $155,000 Bond
Julia Jones Tharrington, 58, Rice Drive, Wake Forest $50,000 Bond
Timothy Mark Shearin, 48, Moulton Road, Louisburg $20,000 Bond
Donathan Dominca Pery, 31, Happy Valley Trail, Franklinton $100,000 Bond
