Agencies arrest more than 20 in Catawba County drug, gun bust - Hickory Daily Record

HICKORY - A Catawba County round-up culminated Tuesday with the arrest of 19 suspects in the greater Hickory area on federal drug and gun charges. Nine more suspects were arrested on state charges.

The arrests came after a months-long investigation by local and federal law enforcement. Collaborating agencies included the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Marshals Service, Catawba County Sheriff's Office, and the Hickory, Newton, Conover and Longview police departments.

"This focused investigation with ATF and our officers will have a lasting impact on reducing violence and taking drugs off the streets of Hickory and other communities in Catawba County," Tom Adkins, Hickory police chief, said.

Nine more suspects in state custody face federal charges.

Federal indictments were returned by a grand jury on Oct. 15 and 16, and they were unsealed Tuesday. Charges include possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Some suspects could face life imprisonment.

Authorities say that among the suspects are drug traffickers, convicted felons and local gang members.

District Attorney Jay Gaither said he is very proud of the work local law enforcement and the ATF have done.

"We intend to follow up on this excellent collaborative effort with aggressive prosecution," District Attorney Jay Gaither said.

Gaither said the defendants will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's office and the 25th Prosecutorial District.

Wayne L. Dixie, ATF special agent in charge, said the agency will continue working with law enforcement partners.

"Our mandate is to do everything we lawfully can to allow the citizens of Hickory to live in a safe and secure environment without the fear of having needless violent crimes as a part of their lives," Dixie said. "We accept that mandate and today's law enforcement action should send that message loud and clear."

Seized items in anti-violence initiative:

80 firearms

-53 handguns

-19 rifles

-10 shotguns

- 1 short-barrel shotgun

1,425 grams of narcotics

-1,125 grams of cocaine

-230 grams of marijuana

 

Arrests on federal charges

Kadeem Jamal Albright, 21, address unknown

Marquice Tyrone Streeter, 25, of Hickory

Kianta Martese Davis, 21, of Conover, N.C.

Keon Maurquie Gaither, 25, address unknown

Chaetez Sean Clayton, 23, of Hickory

Tyree Dorian Rhinehardt, 21, of Hickory

Isreal Lerock Linebarger, 22, of Conover

Larry Jermaine Linebarger, 26, address unknown

Larry Elwood Steptoe, 33, address unknown

Jeffrey Lashaw Maddox 27, address unknown

Anthony Roger Mull, 28, of Hickory

Kenneth Demond Norman, 35, of Hickory

Eric Jay Ramirez, 33, of Hickory

Cortez Lamar Rogers, 31, address unknown

Dorrian Debrell Shuford, 20, of Newton

Traquon Rashaad Davis, 20, of Conover

Brandon Jaqwan Sifford, 22, of Hickory

Anthony Lamar Mason, 24, of Hickory

Donnell Lavon Thomas, 39, of Hickory

-Nine others already in state custody.