Joint investigations lead to 13 arrests for gun, drug charges in Asheville area

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Tackling gun violence and drug trafficking is what led to the arrests of 13 people in a joint investigation in North Carolina.

Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, made the announcement in a press release on April 16, saying the indictments were the result of multiple joint investigations led by federal prosecutors, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Asheville Police Department, into the alleged distribution of narcotics, such as fentanyl, and illegal firearms activity in the Asheville area.

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“When our streets are plagued with drugs and illegal guns, our communities pay the price,” said U.S. Attorney King in a press release. “The charges announced today are the result of our concerted efforts with our law enforcement partners to remove drugs and illegal guns from our neighborhoods and reduce the violence and criminal activity fueled by the drug trade. We are stronger together. When we join forces, our crime reduction efforts are more effective and we can better protect our citizens and vulnerable communities from dangerous drugs and gun-induced violence.”

According to the U.S. Attorney's release, the names of the 13 individuals and the offenses pending against them are:

• Darrien Quantael Cannady, 35, of Asheville, is charged with three counts of distribution of a controlled substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base. The alleged conduct occurred between August 2022 and November 2022, in Buncombe County.

• Aric Rashad Harper, 30, of Swannanoa, N.C., is charged with possession of machineguns and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The indictment alleges that, in November 2022, in Buncombe County, Harper possessed two machinegun conversion kits, commonly known as “Glock switches.” A Glock switch, or “auto sear,” is an illegal conversion device that enables a conventional semi-automatic pistol to function as a fully automatic firearm. The indictment further alleges that, during that time, Harper unlawfully possessed a pistol, knowing that he had been previously convicted of at least one crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

• Eric Kelvin Hart, 42, of Asheville, is charged with distribution of methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that Hart distributed the methamphetamine in September 2022, in Buncombe County.

• Valachie Wendell Hendon, 41, of Asheville, is charged with four counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. The indictment alleges that, between April and May 2023, Hendon engaged in the distribution of fentanyl in and around Buncombe County and illegally possessed firearms. The investigation led to the recovery of two privately manufactured firearms (ghost guns), eight firearms, including an ARtype rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun, and more than 80 rounds of ammunition, that the government contends were involved in the offenses charged in the indictment and are subject to forfeiture proceedings.

• Jamal Marqui McDaniel, 46, of Asheville, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; nine counts distribution of methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine; eight counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and six counts of possession of a firearm and/or ammunition by a felon. The indictment alleges that, between September 2022 and February 2023, McDaniel engaged in the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine in and around Buncombe County. The indictment alleges that McDaniel, during the relevant period, distributed the controlled substances while in possession of firearms. The investigation led to the recovery of two ghost guns, eight firearms, and ammunition, that the government contends were involved in the offenses charged in the indictment and are subject to forfeiture proceedings.

• McDaniel’s co-defendant, Glisa Nechole Ponder, 43, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

• Christopher Deshawn Nelson, 41, of Asheville, is charged with four counts of distribution of methamphetamine and three counts of felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that, between June 2022 and August 2022, Nelson allegedly distributed methamphetamine in Buncombe County and elsewhere and illegally possessed three firearms on three separate occasions. Nelson was previously convicted of at least one crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and he is prohibited from possessing firearms.

• Dequan Tyrie Payton, 33, of Arden, N.C., is charged with distribution of fentanyl and three counts of distribution of methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that Payton distributed the controlled substances between September 2022 and November 2022, in and around Buncombe County.

• Ronald Lee Peak, 43, of Hendersonville, N.C., is charged with two counts of distribution of methamphetamine and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. The indictment alleges that between July 2022 and August 2022, Peak possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Buncombe County. It is also alleged that, during that time, Peak illegally possessed two firearms knowing that he had previously been convicted of at least one crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

• Breanna Nicole Reed, 27, of Asheville, is charged with three counts of distribution of fentanyl. Reed allegedly engaged in the distribution of fentanyl between June 2022 and August 2022, in Buncombe County.

• Tyrone Eugene Sitton, 46, of Asheville, is charged with three counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. According to allegations in the indictment, between November 2022 and December 2022, Sitton distributed fentanyl in Buncombe County. The indictment further alleges that Sitton, knowing he had been previously convicted of at least one crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly and unlawfully possessed three firearms, including a 12-gauge shotgun and a rifle.

• The indictment also charges Sitton’s co-defendant, Maurice Antonio Jeter, 42, of Hendersonville, with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

• Khalil Tirik Shabazz, 28, of Asheville, is charged with three counts of knowingly and intentionally distributing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The indictment alleges that Shabazz distributed the controlled substance in July 2022, in and around Buncombe County

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Captain Joe Silberman with Asheville police added that this was a year long investigation and these individuals were not only allegedly selling illegal drugs and firearms, but were also altering the original design and its functionality, which made them more dangerous,

“This operation has a nexis in illegal firearms," Capt. Silberman said. "Not over the counter law abiding people who buy a firearm for self defense and follow all the rules or people who have a sporting interest. These are people who are already felons, who have used violence in the past and have been ordered by the court not to have a gun. They've taken guns that are over the counter, modified and manipulated them to be machine guns, or or selling ghost guns, which is an illegal transaction."

Silberman and APD throughout the year long investigation teamed up with ATF to bring down these individuals accused of being involved in drug trafficking and the participation in the illegal use of firearms activities in the Asheville area.

“Those people who were selling and using firearms were manufactured specifically not to be traced and they were doing so in an illegal way. They've done so using dubious methods,” he added.

Silberman emphasized that they were about to continuously move forward in this case with the help of not just ATF, but also the community. He added that the community played a big part in helping with the case through the anonymous tip line.