Arrests follow month-long investigation by State Alcohol Law Enforcement
Published 9:22 am Wednesday, June 29, 2022
SALISBURY — North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) special agents recently concluded a months-long illegal drug and alcohol investigation which resulted in 10 arrests with numerous charges, reports of businesses and seizures of multiple items.
The investigation was initiated in response to a number of complaints from residents of illegal drug activity at ABC-licensed convenience stores in Salisbury. Through the course of the investigation, special agents also identified several illegal alcohol businesses operating out of private residences.
ALE is a division of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, and special agents are charged with investigating and enforcing alcohol, lottery and tobacco laws.
On Friday, ALE, Salisbury Police Department and the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office served four arrest warrants and executed three search warrants for drug and alcohol violations at 29 Kesler Street, 204 Lloyd Street, and Red’s Mart, located at 1014 West Innes Street. During the searches, two handguns, crack cocaine, approximately one pound of marijuana and a large amount of cash were seized.
The following individuals were arrested and charged:
- Shivam Rajeshbhai Patel, 30, of Indian Land, S.C. — (owner of Red’s Mart) manufacture of drug paraphernalia, delivery of drug paraphernalia, failure to keep a drug paraphernalia log, knowingly allow violations to occur on the ABC-licensed premises, failure to superintend the business
- Paula Regina Jones, 54, of Salisbury — (Red’s Mart employee) manufacture of drug paraphernalia, delivery of drug paraphernalia, failure to keep a drug paraphernalia log, knowingly allowing violations to occur on the ABC-licensed premises
- Kristin Leigh Butler, 38, of Salisbury — (Red’s Mart employee) manufacture of drug paraphernalia, delivery of drug paraphernalia, failure to keep a drug paraphernalia log, knowingly allowing violations to occur on the ABC-licensed premises
- Dennis James Wilks, 78, of Salisbury — possession of marijuana paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances
- Keshawn Jamaine Stoner, 19, of Salisbury — possession of marijuana paraphernalia and resisting a public officer
- Terry Louis Woods, 63, of Salisbury — sale/delivery of cocaine, possession with the intent to sell/deliver (PWISD) cocaine, possession of cocaine, sale/delivery of marijuana, possession with the intent to sell/deliver (PWISD) marijuana, possession of marijuana
- Claytonia Antionette Huff, 49, of Salisbury — sale/delivery of cocaine, PWISD cocaine, possession of cocaine, sale/delivery of marijuana, PWISD marijuana, possession of marijuana
- Christopher Danelle Weeks, 42, of Salisbury — sale of alcoholic beverages without the applicable ABC permit, possession alcoholic beverages for sale without the applicable ABC permits, sale/delivery of marijuana, PWISD marijuana, possession of marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, PWISD cocaine, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, possession of firearm by felon, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia
- Rosalind Johnson McElhaney, 65, of Salisbury – possession of alcoholic beverages for sale without the applicable ABC permit, sale of alcoholic beverages without the applicable ABC permit
- Weslie Shawnel Fox, 30, of Salisbury — sale/delivery of marijuana, PWISD marijuana, possession of marijuana, maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances.
Reports will be submitted to the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) for the violations at Red’s Mart and Speedway 7986, which could result in fines, suspensions or revocation of ABC permits.
“The mission of the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division is to reduce crime and enhance public safety throughout the State of North Carolina. This mission is accomplished through the proactive, fair and consistent enforcement of the state laws related to alcoholic beverage control, gambling, tobacco, controlled substances and nuisance abatement, as well as other criminal and regulatory matters in the interest of health and public safety,” according to the organization. “ALE emphasizes working with local law enforcement agencies to provide solutions to community-based problems. ALE partners with sheriffs and police chiefs to spearhead enforcement operations aimed at making communities safer.”
