Operation Black Friday 2015 nets 16 arrests

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced that a joint investigation, “Operation Black Friday 2015” was conducted by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Andrews Police Department which culminated in the arrest of 16 individuals for controlled substance violations at 2135 Business 19 in Andrews, North Carolina.

The joint investigation began as a result of numerous complaints being received concerning the occupants of 2135 Business 19 in Andrews.  Additionally, information was being developed by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office that possible activity consistent with the illegal use and sale of controlled substances was taking place at the residence.  As information continued to be gathered, enough information was collected that enabled investigators to get a search warrant for the residence.

When law enforcement arrived at the residence to serve a search warrant they found:

43 year old Donovan Rickell Underwood of Robbinsville, North Carolina
38 year old Randall Edward Humphries of Andrews, North Carolina
58 year old Valerie Marie Mashburn of Andrews, North Carolina
37 year old Jennifer Jeanette Brown of Andrews, North Carolina
37 year old Jennifer Adrianne Greene of Robbinsville, North Carolina
29 year old Steven Douglas Hall of Andrews, North Carolina
21 year old Jessica Leigh Hyde of Robbinsville, North Carolina
25 year old Thomas Dakota Howard of Robbinsville, North Carolina
17 year old Steven Lee Rogers of Robbinsville, North Carolina
37 year old Amanda Layton of Murphy, North Carolina 
29 year old Heather Hill of Robbinsville, North Carolina
27 year old Chasidy Cook of Whitter, North Carolina
38 year old Thomas Rogers of Robbinsville, North Carolina
21 year old Hunter Phillips of Robbinsville, North Carolina
23 year old Amy Nicole Jumper of Robbinsville, North Carolina
24 year old Davon Jones of Andrews North Carolina

During the search of the residence, a substantial quantity of Methamphetamine was seized. All 16 of the individuals were arrested and brought to the Cherokee County Detention Center for booking and processing.

Steven Hall and Valerie Mashburn were charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession with the Intent to Sell & Deliver Methamphetamine, Felony Maintaining a Dwelling House, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The remaining individuals were charged with Felony Aiding and Abetting Maintaining a Dwelling House.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “We continue our war against drugs and those who deal them in Cherokee County. We are going to continue to partner with all law enforcement in and around Cherokee County to protect our community from this menace.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone that has information on this crime or any other to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.