Department of Justice: 15 arrested in multistate drug trafficking ring

Published 11:03 am Monday, August 20, 2018

SALISBURY — According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 25 people have been indicted by a federal grand jury on drug charges that span state lines. The bulk of the activity, however, took place in and around Rowan County, U.S. Attorney Matthew Martin said at a press conference this morning.

Fifteen persons have been arrested according to the latest indictment, which was unsealed this morning. Charges include possession of methamphetamine and heroin, and drug trafficking across state lines. Monday’s indictment follows a February 2017 indictment that charged 32 persons — of those, 31 are now serving sentences in federal prison.

Of those indicted Monday, those currently in federal custody include: Jose “Junie” Alberto Perez, Salvador Valadez Jr., Rodney Neil Hardin, Charles Stanley Bangert Jr., Brad Scott Bruce Jr., Ashley Dawn Sanders, Brad Scott Bruce Jr., Ashley Paige Kramer, Jacob Daniel Johnson, James Quincey Smith, Brenda Sue Bostian, Morgan Nichole Pepper, Samuel Blake Helton, Daniel Dewayne Wood, Amanda Marie Hardison and Billy Jack “B.J.” Fleming.

According to Martin, agencies who helped with the investigation included: Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Davie County Sheriff’s Office, Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office, Kannapolis Police Department, Concord Police Department, Rowan County District Attorney’s Office, Salisbury Police Department, Mocksville Police Department, State Highway Patrol, State Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshal’s service, the DEA and Homeland Security.

This story will be updated with further details.