22 charged in regional drug bust

By Diana McFarland

Managing editor

Unlike the television series, this House of Cards collapsed.

That’s the name given to a six-month-long undercover drug operation that has resulted in the arrest of 22 individuals, mostly from Isle of Wight County.

The drugs involved in the sting, carried out by the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office and the Meherrin Drug Task Force were marijuana, LSD, heroin, crack cocaine and methamphetamines.

“It was a lot of busy people selling drugs in Isle of Wight County,” said Lt. Tommy Potter with the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office. 

Potter said it was a self-contained group, and while some were users themselves, they mostly targeted others. 

They were also not connected to each other, except for two of the suspects, said Potter. {mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

The investigation also tied two suspects to armed robberies at convenience stores in Zuni and Surry, said Potter. 

Two individuals were charged with allowing a child to be present while making methamphetamines in the Carrsville area, said Potter. 

In all, the operation resulted in $24,105 drugs and $32,556 in seized assets, 97 felony and five misdemeanor charges.

The 22 suspects have all been indicted by a grand jury and most have been arraigned and are awaiting court dates, said Potter. 

This operation underlines Isle of Wight County’s partnership with the Meherrin Task Force, which also includes Southampton County and the city of Emporia, said Potter. 

Arrested were 

•William R. Carpenter, 41, “Chop Stix,” charged with 12 counts of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of marijuana and other drugs and two counts of driving revoked while a habitual offender.

•Michelle L. Arnold, 36, also known as “Michelle Chandler,” was charged with three counts of drug distribution and two counts of welfare fraud.

•Zackeri J. Walker, 22, was charged with three counts of drug distribution and two counts of conspiracy to distribute.

•Darren R. Moore, 33, “Moonie,” was charged with three counts of drug distribution and one count of conspiracy.

Jacob E. Walker, 19, was charged with three counts of marijuana distribution.

•Michael L. Williams Sr., 62, was charged with three counts of distributing heroin, third offense, and two counts of distributing cocaine, third offense. 

•Jermaal L. Wells, 22, was charged with one count of selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school and one count of drug distribution.

•Travis B. Latimer Jr., 19, “Blake,” was charged with one count of marijuana distribution.

•Stephen L. Bergstrom, 28, “Indian,” was charged with one count of drug distribution.

•Nikki L. Everett, 24, “Crystal,” was charged with six counts of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and drugs and six counts of distributing marijuana and other drugs. 

•Mark A. Hicks, 22, was charged with five counts of distributing drugs. 

•Jonathan T. Coble, 22, “Red,” was charged with three counts of distribution of drugs.

•William S. Hamilton, 18, was charged with three counts of distribution of drugs.

•Robert J. Urquhart, “Dookie,” was charged with three counts of drug distribution second offense and three counts of driving after forfeiting a license.

•Austin S. Johnson, 20, was charged with three counts of conspiracy to distribute, one count of distribution and two counts of distributing imitation drugs.

Kyle E. Kiersch, 19, was charged with one count of drug distribution.

•Aaron N. Blythe, 35, was charged with one count of manufacture or distribution of drugs and one count of conspiracy to violate the Drug Control Act.

•Monty L. Jones Jr., 23, was charged with one count of manufacture, two counts of distributing an imitation narcotic and three counts of distribution.

•Amy D. Johnson, 39, was charged with one count of allowing a minor to be present while making methamphetamine, two counts of manufacture or distribution and one count of conspiracy to violate the Drug Control Act.

•Joey E. Froman, 35, was charge with one count of allowing a minor to be present while making methamphetamine, two counts of manufacture or distribution and one count of conspiracy to violate the Drug Control Act.

•Two juveniles, age 16 and 17, were also charged with multiple drug offenses.  {/mprestriction}