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.

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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.

[ [ALSO READ: Chocolate bars and brownies: Traffic stop leads to drug bust in Lincolnton] ]

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.

[ [ALSO READ: 10 in Lincoln County face felony drug charges after undercover investigations] ]

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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