17 Charged in Orange County Drug Investigation

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has taken out charges on 17 individuals related to “street level” drug distribution.

Authorities said the investigation has led law enforcement to the Hillsborough and Mebane portions of the county, “where controlled purchases of narcotics were made from the individuals.”

Officials said 11 of the targets have been arrested as part of the investigation while the six remaining suspects are being sought.

The investigation has led to 46 felony and 18 misdemeanor drug charges, including possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and marijuana and possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, park or daycare.

Those already arrested as part of the investigation include:

• 27-year-old James Lee Cunningham, of Hillsborough: two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a daycare

• 22-year-old Terrell Jamal Howell, of Hillsborough: possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, possession with intent to sell or deliver a schedule IV controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia

• 20-year-old Joseph Michael Pannachia, of Hillsborough: maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance

• 19-year-old Julian Alexander Knight, of Hillsborough: maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance

• 38-year-old Derek Lloyd Wright, of Hillsborough: three counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances and two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school

• 25-year-old Rashawn Lamar Whitted, of Mebane: three counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance

• Ferguson Alexander Menz, of Chapel Hill: possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school

• 63-year-old Robert Lee Purcell, of Mebane: four counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, four counts of maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances and three counts of sell or deliver cocaine

• 59-year-old Johnny Ray Parrish, of Rougemont: possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia

• 41-year-old Daniel Isiah Crew Jr, of Rougemont: possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia

• 56-year-old Christopher Wayne Brooks, of Timberlake: possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting a public officer

Crew was also recently charged in an investigation into an alleged dog fighting ring in Orange County.

Authorities are still searching for six individuals, as of Tuesday morning, related to the investigation:

• 26-year-old Calvin Montez Whitted, of Mebane: charged with two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances

• 19-year-old Brandon Christopher Dodd, of Raleigh: charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed gun

• 39-year-old Joseph Philbert Frasier, of Mebane: two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances

• 39-year-old Ronisha Montriece Whitted, of Graham: possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia

• 31-year-old Justin Allen Utsman, of Hillsborough: two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia

• 29-year-old Laura Brooke Gallagher, of Hillsborough: conspire to sell methamphetamine

Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact investigator BK Wilkerson at (919) 245-2900. Callers can remain anonymous.

Photos via Orange County Sheriff’s Office