Citizen complaints led the sheriff’s office to raid three trouble spots on Dessie Road near Chadbourn Friday.
One suspect collided with a patrol vehicle while trying to evade arrest, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit, including S.W.A.T. and the Narcotics Division, executed three search warrants after numerous citizen complaints about illegal activity at 545 Dessie Road. The warrants targeted 545, 535, and 461 Dessie Road. Detectives located a large quantity of narcotics, including cocaine, marijuana, and prescription pills. Two handguns and over $9,500.00 in cash were seized.
While the teams were at 545 Dessie Road, Dalijawan Lamont Willis, 21, of West Smith Street, Chadbourn, fled from the residence in a Nissan Altima. He then drove towards the deputies and investigators on scene and struck a ditch. Other deputies initiated a traffic stop but Willis fled the scene in the vehicle, and a pursuit ensued. The chase ended when Willis’ vehicle collided with a patrol vehicle.
Willis was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for evaluation, then released into the custody of Columbus County Sheriff’s Office. He was then transported to the Law Enforcement Center where he was processed and booked.
Dessie Road is a familiar place to many law enforcement officers. In addition to large parties, alleged drug activity and violence, multiple killings have occurred in the 500 block in recent years.
On Aug. 29, 2019, Isaac Gene Miller allegedly shot and killed William Nance at a home in the 500 block.
Emily Ashton Ivey of Cerro Gordo was shot to death at a large party in the same area on March 30, 2020. Jerald Devon Dennis was arrested on the scene for that slaying.
On Sept. 14 of this year, Julius Armani was killed and two injured in an 11:30 p.m. shooting in the same area. The next day, a man opened fire in another home nearby, but no one was injured. That suspect is still at large.
The suspects from Friday’s raids and their charges include:
• Dalijawan Lamont Willis, 21, West Smith Street, Chadbourn: felony flee to elude, reckless driving, damage to government property, simple possession of marijuana, and maintaining a vehicle for drug activities. His bond was set at $12,000 secured.
• Sean Devall Frazier, 48, Dessie Road, Chadbourn: trafficking opium/heroin, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, Schedule III and Schedule IV drugs; maintaining a dwelling for drug activities, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. He was held under a $300,000 secured bond.
• Keyandra Shardae Frazier, 21, Dessie Road, Chadbourn: trafficking opium/heroin, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, Schedule III and Schedule IV drugs; maintaining a dwelling for drug activities, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cocaine. His bond was set at $245,000.
• Rashad Terrell Stephens, 22, Joyner Street, Chadbourn: trafficking opium/heroin, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, Schedule III and Schedule IV drugs; maintaining a dwelling for drug activities, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. He was held under a $290,000 secured bond.
• Jerry Dean Sellers, 63, Dessie Road, Chadbourn: trafficking opium/heroin, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, Schedule III and Schedule IV drugs; maintaining a dwelling for drug activities, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. He was placed under a $290,000.00 secured bond.
• Dejourn Rmonee Smith, 22, South Pine Street, Chadbourn: possession of cocaine. His bond was set at $5,000 secured.
• Calvin McLean Moore Jr, 44, Bullard Road, Chadbourn: possession of cocaine and two counts felony probation violation. He was placed under a $30,000 secured bond.
• Kendale Harley, 28, Old Whiteville Road, Lumberton: trafficking opium/heroin, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, Schedule III and Schedule IV drugs; possession of cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for drug activities, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. He was held under a $300,000 secured bond.