JOINT “OPERATION HEAT CHECK” SWEEP LEADS TO MULTIPLE FELONY ARRESTS IN BLADEN COUNTY

Elizabethtown, NC — A coordinated, two-day sweep by local and state law enforcement agencies has resulted in multiple felony arrests, the recovery of firearms, and significant seizures of illicit narcotics and currency, according to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.

The initiative, dubbed “Operation Heat Check,” was conducted on June 29 and June 30. The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office partnered with North Carolina Probation/Parole and task force officers from the Special Operations and Intelligence Unit (SOIU) to target criminal activity throughout the county.

According to Sheriff James A. McVicker, the joint operation led to a series of targeted investigations and arrests over the 48-hour period.

Day One Operations

The first day of the sweep focused heavily on the Elizabethtown area, resulting in three arrests:

• Gary Carter, 65, of Elizabethtown, faces several severe drug charges. Carter was arrested and charged with Felony Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Felony Trafficking in Opium or Heroin; Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver (PWIMSD) a Schedule II Controlled Substance; two counts of Felony Maintaining a Vehicle, Dwelling, or Place for Controlled Substances; and Felony Manufacture, Sale, Delivery, or Possession of Controlled Substances within 1,000 feet of a School.

• Dashona Rhone Lewis, 31, of Elizabethtown, was apprehended on multiple outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court and probation violations.

• Faith Jamya Smith, 25, of Elizabethtown, was taken into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant for Aiding and Abetting Larceny.

Day Two Operations

On the second day of the operation, focus shifted to East Arcadia, Lisbon, and White Oak, where investigators arrested four additional individuals on felony narcotics, weapons, and probation charges:

• Jeroid Steven Long, 38, of East Arcadia, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; two counts of Trafficking in Opium or Heroin; two counts of Trafficking in Cocaine; Felony PWIMSD a Schedule III Controlled Substance; and Felony Maintaining a Vehicle, Dwelling, or Place for Controlled Substances.

• Miracle Jewel Handberry, 33, of East Arcadia, faces identical charges to Long. She was arrested and charged with two counts of Trafficking in Opium or Heroin; two counts of Trafficking in Cocaine; Felony PWIMSD a Schedule III Controlled Substance; and Felony Maintaining a Vehicle, Dwelling, or Place for Controlled Substances.

• Andre Matthew McKinley, 45, of Lisbon, was taken into custody and charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Felony Probation Violations.

• Walter Matthew Owens, 43, of White Oak, was arrested and charged with Felony PWIMSD a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Felony Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Felony Maintaining a Vehicle, Dwelling, or Place for Controlled Substances; Felony Manufacture of a Schedule II Controlled Substance; and Felony Probation Violation.

A Collaborative Success

Sheriff McVicker praised the joint effort, noting that the close partnership between the participating agencies was the driving force behind the operation’s success.

“Operation Heat Check was an outstanding collaborative effort,” Sheriff McVicker said. “The partnership between our agencies played a significant role in the operation’s success.”

The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office emphasized its commitment to the relentless pursuit of criminal elements operating within the region. Authorities encourage any citizens with information regarding illegal drug activity to contact the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office directly.

All individuals listed are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Charges and case statuses may change as investigations and court proceedings continue.