10 in Lincoln County face felony drug charges after undercover investigations

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — Ten people in Lincoln County are facing serious drug-related charges after multiple undercover investigations by narcotics officers.

Officials with the Lincoln County Sherriff’s Office said on Friday that the charges come after several investigations during the week of Nov. 6 into the selling, distribution and possession of methamphetamine, prescription medication, and marijuana.

Detectives said the investigations led to the seizure of various quantities of methamphetamine, Xanax, Adderall, marijuana, and methadone.  During one investigation, undercover detectives said they purchased trafficking amounts of methadone on multiple occasions.

According to narcotics officers, the investigations mostly took place in the southern and western parts of the county.

More individuals will be facing charges for similar crimes in the coming weeks, detectives said.

[MUGSHOTS: 7 in custody after Lincoln County narcotics investigations]

Seven of the 10 people being charged have been arrested by police.

  • Stacey Loftin Duren, 42, of Lincolnton, was charged with 14 felony counts of trafficking heroin/opiates and two felony counts of maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for controlled substances.  She was arrested on Nov. 8 and received a $604,000 secured bond.
  • Susan Elaine Fitzgerald, 56, Lincolnton, was charged with two felony counts each of sell and deliver Schedule II controlled substance, sell and deliver Schedule IV controlled substance and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances. She was arrested on Nov. 8 and received a $27,500 secured bond.
  • Crystal Gail Cooper, 41, of Vale, was charged with one felony count each of sell and deliver Schedule II controlled substance, sell and deliver Schedule IV controlled substance, possession with intent to sell and deliver Schedule II controlled substance, and possession with intent to sell and deliver Schedule IV controlled substance, and maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances. She was arrested Nov. 9 and received a $30,000 secured bond.
  • Brandon Lee Buchanan, 23, of Lawndale, was charged with one count of felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance, and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.  He was arrested Nov. 7 and received a $10,000 secured bond.
  • Tait Richard Rogers, 26, of Vale, is charged with two felony counts trafficking heroin/opiates. She was arrested on Nov. 10 and is in jail under a $100,000 secured bond.
  • Dylan Thomas Doeppe, 16, of Vale, is charged with two felony counts each of sell and deliver Schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine), and possession with intent to sell and deliver Schedule II controlled substance. He was released to the custody of a responsible adult.
  • Jontavis Rayquan Duncan, 21, of Lincolnton, is charged with one felony count each of sell and deliver Schedule VI controlled substance, possession with intent to sell and deliver Schedule VI controlled substance, and conspire to sell and deliver Schedule VI controlled substance. Duncan was arrested on Nov. 9. He was given an unsecured bond of $7,500.

The remaining three subjects are all wanted and have yet to be located by police.

  • Mickey Gene Mellon, 50, of Lawndale, is charged with one felony count each of possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, and possession of controlled substance in a jail/prison facility.

(Mickey Gene Mellon)

  • Shane Emmanuael Cauthen, 17, of Lincolnton, is charged with one with felony count each of sell and deliver counterfeit substance, possession with intent to sell and deliver counterfeit substance, and conspiracy to sell Schedule VI controlled substance.
  • Zachary McRae, 29, of Lincolnton, is charged with one count of obtaining property by false pretense.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mellon, Cauthen or McRae is urged to call the Lincoln County Communications Center at 704-735-8202, or the Lincolnton/Lincoln County Crime Stoppers at 704-736-8909.

Also, anyone wishing to report drug activity is urged to call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Drug Tip Line at 704-736-8606. Authorities said callers can remain anonymous and all tips are investigated.

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