18 people face charges following 7-month drug investigation in Lincoln Co.

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — After a seven-month drug investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office narcotics officers indicted 18 people on various drug-related charges.

The drug-related charges include possession of illegal narcotics, sale and delivery of controlled substances and felonious distribution and trafficking.

[ALSO READ: Lincolnton traffic stop turns into major drug bust]

The investigations took place between April 2018 and Nov. 2018 and indictments were returned by a Lincoln County grand jury on Dec.11, 2018.

Below is a list of suspects arrested along with their charges:

• James William Canipe, Jr., 43 - charged with possession of methamphetamine during a traffic stop.
• Haley Kristen Gantt, 30 - charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon.
• Bruce Edward Thomas, Jr.,43 - charged with possession of Schedule II, possession of Schedule III and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Jason Gavitt, 43 - charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon.

The following individuals were indicted by the grand jury on existing charges and will be served with the indictment:

• Robert Deal Shuford, 65 - charged with possession of methamphetamine.
• Steven Eugene Travis, 48 - charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of cocaine.
• Jamie Wooten, 27 - charged with possession of a stolen firearm.
• William Lovingood, 34 - charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Melissa Clanton, 32 - charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine.
• James Christopher Coleman, 47 - charged with two felony counts of possession of pseudoephedrine with prior methamphetamine charges.

Lincoln County deputies are still looking for the following suspects:

• Jessica Michelle Deaton, 29 - charged with possession of methamphetamine.
• Kasey Lynn Earwood, 32 - charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine and sell and deliver methamphetamine.
• Daniel Scott Huffman, 34 - charged with two felony counts each of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and sell and deliver cocaine.
• Christa Ann McClung, 43 - charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of Schedule IV (Xanax).
• Christopher Lee Reynolds, 46 - charged with 3 felony counts each of possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin and sell and deliver heroin.
• Eddie Jerry Ruff, Jr. 49 - charged with 3 felony counts each of possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine and sell and deliver methamphetamine.
• Jessie Eric Stuckey, 26 - charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine and sell and deliver methamphetamine.
• Phillip Wayne Thompson, 42 - charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine and sell and deliver methamphetamine.

Detectives are urging anyone with information concerning drug-related activity to call the drug tip line at 704-736-8606 or Lincolnton/Lincoln County Crime Stoppers at 704-736-8909.

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