Undercover investigation yields a number of drug charges

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, August 13, 2013

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged a group of people they say were involved in the sale of prescription medication. The charges stem from an extended undercover operation. Investigators are still searching for three suspects.
The following were charged:

• Michael Edward Bentley, of the 500 block of Vance Avenue, Salisbury, with trafficking in opium/heroin by selling (hydrocodone), trafficking by possession, trafficking by transport and possession with the intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance. He remains in the Rowan County jail under a $10,000 secured bond.
• Jessie Alan Gillespie, of the 300 block of Ford Road, Salisbury, with possession with the intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance (morphine), sell and deliver a controlled substance (morphine) and sell and deliver a controlled substance (carisoprodol). He remains in the county jail under a $10,000 secured bond.
• James McLaughlin Jr., of the 40 block of Cedar Street, Salisbury, with trafficking by possession (hydrocodone), trafficking by selling and possession with the intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance. He has since been released from the jail under a $25,000 secured bond.
• Michael Allen Morris, of the 100 block of Candlewick Drive, Salisbury, with trafficking by possession (hydrocodone) trafficking by selling a controlled substance and possession with the intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance. He remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.
Investigators have outstanding warrants for the following:
Teri Lynn Raymer, of the 2500 block of West C Street, Kannapolis; Jeffery Lane Gurley, of the 700 block of Roy Cline Road, Rockwell; and Lawrence Gray Hillard, of the 100 block of Scaley Bark Drive, Salisbury. Investigators say Laura Elizabeth Conrad, of the 1200 block of Glover Road, Salisbury, who is also wanted, is in the custody of the N.C. Department of Correction.
Anyone with information related to the location of Teri Raymer, Jeffery Gurley or Lawrence Hillard is asked to contact the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700.