A three-month drug investigation from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office resulted in eight arrests and 127 charges.

Authorities said in a release that the investigation was focused on a “suspected local opioid prescription pill-sharing network.” Approximately 600 prescription pills were allegedly passing through that network each month.

“The opioid crisis is a national issue that is also impacting us here in Chatham County,” Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson said in a release. “Your Sheriff’s Office is working tirelessly to combat this crisis through education, prevention, intervention, and treatment. It takes a community effort and plenty of teamwork to reach a successful resolution. My deputies are committed to putting a stop to opioid abuse and misuse in Chatham County.”

Deputies seized 887 prescription opiate pills, 224 Xanax pills, 8.5 grams of marijuana, two vehicles and $4,647 in cash, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities added that the suspects “owe over $17,000 in drug taxes to the North Carolina Department of Revenue.”

Those arrested as part of the investigation are 36-year-old Alisha Denise Moore, 61-year-old Thomas Neil Moore, 66-year-old James Kilgore, 65-year-old Melinda Rose Kilgore, 43-year-old Rebecca Diane Kilgore, 51-year-old Donna Dowd Maness, 58-year-old Mary Ann Patterson and 71-year-old Willie Ricks.

All suspects were being held under bonds ranging from $100,000 to more than $1 million.

Roberson, who is a member of the Opioid Task Force established by state Attorney General Josh Stein, said these arrests are part of a larger plan targeting the opioid crisis.

“It is important to identify and target the root of the issue. There is much more work ahead, but we aren’t backing down,” Roberson said. “Addiction is a community issue that requires a unified approach involving agencies and individuals. To be successful, it will take health organizations, schools, non-profits, emergency services, law enforcement, churches—ALL of us—working together with one vision in mind.”

Photos via Chatham County Sheriff’s Office

Related Stories
‹
Neighbor Charged in Pittsboro Woman’s Death
Police say a man previously exonerated after spending nearly 40 years in prison for a store clerk’s death has been charged in the death of a woman found dead in her North Carolina apartment last year. WNCN-TV reports 64-year-old Willie Henderson Womble was arrested at his Greensboro home on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder. Authorities say […]
Pittsboro Man Charged with Sex Offenses with Child
A Pittsboro man has been arrested after he was indicted on several child sex offense charges. Officials with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office said in a release on Monday night that 41-year-old Joshua Clark, of Jay Shambley Road, was arrested on Friday. Few details surrounding the arrest are known. But Clark was charged with child […]
AK-47 and AR-15 Rifles Seized from Pittsboro Home After Drug Search
Chatham County authorities seized AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, one shotgun and over 100 rounds of ammunition from a Pittsboro residence when conducting a search earlier this month. Officials say 27-year-old Christian Dominick Lenoir, of Old Graham Road in Pittsboro, was arrested after a search of his residence on August 14. In addition to the firearms […]
3 Arrested at Protest Over Confederate Monument in NC County
Authorities say three people have been arrested during a protest over the removal of a Confederate monument in North Carolina. The Chatham County Sheriff’s office says two women and a man were arrested for disorderly conduct and carrying concealed weapons Saturday in Pittsboro. Authorities say no one was injured during the demonstration near the Chatham […]
Chapel Hill Police Make Arrest in Sexual Assault Case
Chapel Hill Police arrested a 46-year-old man in connection with a sexual assault that occurred earlier this month in the parking deck of an apartment complex. Authorities said Vernon Lamont Reed was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree forcible rape, robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and kidnapping. […]
2 Arrested After Chatham County Drug Investigation
A months-long investigation has resulted in two Chatham County residents being arrested on drug charges. The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of 56-year-old Michael Anthony-Maurice Johnson and 39-year-old Kyuana Reaves, both of Goldston, were charged “with a string of felonies after a search of their residence uncovered collections of methamphetamines, crack cocaine, marijuana, […]
Second Suspect Arrested in Connection to Chatham County Shooting
A second suspect has been arrested by Chatham County authorities after a shooting earlier this year. Officials announced earlier this month that 25-year-old Rodney Kyle Lopossay had been arrested after deputies were dispatched in February to Moody Loop Road in response to a report of shots being fired. The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office announced the […]
Carrboro Woman Charged with Bank Fraud of Assisted Living Resident
A Carrboro woman has been arrested on charges she made purchases using the bank account of an elderly resident of Chatham Ridge Assisted Living. Chatham County authorities were notified of “a possible fraud case” on May 22, according to a release from the sheriff’s office, where multiple fraudulent charges were reported on the victim’s bank […]
Chatham County Investigation Finds Infant with Broken Bones, Burns
An investigation carried out in part by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in two arrests on felony child neglect charges after an infant was found with broken bones and burns. Authorities said in a release that the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office received a call from their Moore County counterparts on April 7 regarding […]
8 Arrested in Chatham County Drug Investigation
A three-month drug investigation from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office resulted in eight arrests and 127 charges. Authorities said in a release that the investigation was focused on a “suspected local opioid prescription pill-sharing network.” Approximately 600 prescription pills were allegedly passing through that network each month. “The opioid crisis is a national issue that […]
›