Buncombe County Sherriffs Arrest Nine in Drug Trafficking Investigation

Buncombe County -- June 21, 2022:  With the assistance of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office seized 24.2 pounds of methamphetamine,

three firearms, two vehicles, $34,138 in U.S. Currency, and arrested nine individuals in connection with a drug trafficking operation based in the Weaverville area of Buncombe County. The Sheriff's Office executed four search warrants on a residence, a motel, vehicles, and a storage facility during the course of a weeks-long investigation.

Since the beginning of last month, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office has received multiple community complaints regarding a possible methamphetamine trafficking enterprise in Buncombe County. Together, the Buncombe County Anti-Crime Task Force (BCAT) and the Sheriff's Community Enforcement Team (SCET) launched an investigation into the community concerns, establishing their validity.
Holly Rose Suttle, Robert Billy Ramos, Joesetta Michelle Plemmons, Jesse Nathan Minter, David James Messer, Ronald Lee Fisher, Anthony Rodriguez, Katie Jo Shook, and Troy Jason Rice have been charged with multiple felonies relating to the operation of a narcotics trafficking enterprise.
On June 1, Detectives with the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at 24 Alcatnie Drive in Weaverville and confiscated $18,739 in U.S. currency, 5.1 pounds of methamphetamine, three weapons, and assorted drug paraphernalia.
On June 7, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the Henderson County Narcotics Unit, identified the residences of members of the drug trafficking network. Later that day, a car check in Buncombe County led to the seizure of 429 grams of methamphetamine and $5,322 in U.S. money from these individuals. With the cooperation of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, a search warrant was then issued and executed for a hotel room in Henderson County where the individuals had been residing, and 17.9 pounds of methamphetamine were seized from the room.

Holly Rose Suttle of Marshall is being held at the Buncombe County Detention Facility on a $250,000 bond and is charged with:
- Conspire to Traffic Methamphetamine
- Two Counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Distribute Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Possession Drug Paraphernalia
Jesse Nathan Minter of Weaverville is being held at the Buncombe County Detention Facility on a $200,000 bond and is charged with:
- Conspire to Traffic Methamphetamine
- Two Counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Distribute Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Possession Drug Paraphernalia
- Maintain a Vehicle Dwelling Place for Sale of a Controlled Substance
Anthony Guillermo Rodriguez of Barnardsville is being held at the Buncombe County Detention Facility on a $200,000 bond and is charged with:
- Conspire to Traffic Methamphetamine
- Two Counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Distribute Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Possession Drug Paraphernalia
Katie Jo Shook of Buncombe County is being held at the Buncombe County Detention Facility on a $200,000 bond and is charged with:
- Conspire to Traffic Methamphetamine
- Two Counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine
- Two Counts of Possession with Intent to Sell or Distribute Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Possession Drug Paraphernalia
Troy Jason Rice of Barnardsville is being held at the Buncombe County Detention Facility on a $15,000 bond and is charged with:
- Two Counts of Possession of Methamphetamine
- Felony Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Two Counts of Possession Drug Paraphernalia
- Felony Possession of Stolen Goods/Property
- Felony Larceny
- Expired Operators License
- Misdemeanor Possession Stolen Goods/Property
- Exceeding Safe Speed
- Misdemeanor Larceny
- Reckless Driving to Endanger
- No Operators License
- Fictitious Title/Registration Card
- Expired Inspection
- Drive/Allow MV No Registration
David James Messer of Mars Hills has been charged with:
- Two Counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Distribute Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Resisting Public Officer
Joesette Michelle Plemmons of Weaverville has been charged with:
- Conspire to Traffic Methamphetamine
- Trafficking Methamphetamine
- Maintain Dwelling for Sale of a Controlled Substance
Ronald Lee Fisher of Weaverville has been charged with:
- Conspire to Traffic Methamphetamine
- Trafficking Methamphetamine
- Maintain Dwelling for Sale of a Controlled Substance
Robert Billy Ramos of Buncombe County is being held at the Buncombe County Detention Facility and is not eligible for bond due to parole violations. He is charged with:
- Conspire to Traffic Methamphetamine
- Two Counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine

Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington