Sheriff Bill Rogers has released additional information on several major drug investigations from October.
Throughout the month, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office made multiple arrests in the county for offenses ranging from narcotics trafficking, assault on law enforcement officers, and weapons violations. Deputies were also involved in a vehicle pursuit.
On Oct. 23, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice–Narcotics Unit was investigating complaints of narcotics activity by Michael Ruffin, 36. During this investigation, narcotics detectives located a vehicle known to be associated with Ruffin on Legion Drive in Whiteville. Narcotics detectives initiated a vehicle stop on Chadbourn Highway, after observing a vehicle registration violation.
While detectives were approaching the vehicle, Ruffin allegedly attempted to discard a large quantity of prescription pills out of the vehicle window to destroy the evidence, a press release said. Detectives retrieved the narcotics and took Ruffin into custody after a brief altercation. Ruffin was arrested and charged with two counts of trafficking opium or heroin; alter or destroy criminal evidence; maintaining a vehicle for drug activity; resisting a public officer; driving while license revoked; no liability insurance and an open container violation.
Ruffin initially received no bond, but a judge later set bond at $750,000 secured.
The next day, Oct. 24, a Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Detective and an officer with Chadbourn Police Department were patrolling in Chadbourn in an effort to reduce violent crime as a part of Sheriff Roger’s new effort, the Proactive Investigation of Violent Offenders Task Force (PIVOT).
A vehicle stop was conducted on Seventh Street in Chadbourn, the released said, during which the vehicle was searched. A firearm and an amount of cocaine were seized during the search. The driver of the vehicle, David Sharrod Thomas, 35, was allegedly combative during the interaction and was taken into custody.
Thomas’ mother, Daphine Sue Baker, 54, arrived on scene during the arrest.
The release said she became irate with law enforcement and assaulted an officer, who sustained minor injuries. Both Thomas and Baker were arrested and transported to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Center where they were charged.
Thomas was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon; felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; maintaining a vehicle for drug activities; carrying a concealed weapon; resisting a public officer, and driving without a license. Thomas also originally received no bond, but it was later set at $250,000.
Baker was charged with resisting a public officer; assault on a government official, and aid and abet driving while license revoked. Baker received a $2,500 secured bond.
On Oct.26, Vice-Narcotics Detectives were in the area of Clyde Norris Road after receiving numerous complaints of narcotics being sold on Bermuda Bay Lane. During their investigation, the release said, they encountered the subjects of the complaints. After detectives observed narcotics in plain view, two subjects fled from the scene.
Detectives apprehended Antonio Dewayne Goodman Jr, 31, and Jorondia Laddell Washington, 36, in possession of a reported eight-plus ounces of heroin; three ounces of cocaine; a quantity of marijuana; and a large quantity of prescription pills. Additionally, approximately $8,500 in cash was seized.
Goodman was charged with four counts of trafficking opium or heroin; possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine; trafficking in cocaine; two counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; drug paraphernalia, and resisting a public officer. Goodman’s bond was set at $1 million.
Washington was charged with four counts of trafficking opium or heroin; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; trafficking cocaine; two counts of possession wiutbh intent to sell and deliver opiates; two counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; drug paraphernalia, and resisting a public officer. He was initially jailed under no bond, but it was later set at $1,000,001.
Reports of drug activity sent more patrols to Central Middle School in Whiteville Oct. 31, and resulted in the arrest of a well-known suspect.
When Kapri Oman McMillian allegedly committed a traffic violation, deputies attempted to stop him to write a citation. McMillan allegedly refused to stop, and led officers on a high speed chase .He was charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest; resisting an officer; criminal speeding, and no license. His bond was set at $1,500.
Rogers has tasked his Vice-Narcotics Division with proactively investigating and removing violent offenders from. the street. Rogers would like to express his gratitude to the citizens of this county for their continued support and assistance with removing these offenders from our communities.
