Deputies Charge Ten Suspects Following Lincoln County Drug Investigation

Justin Pryor,

LINCOLN COUNTY, NC — Deputies have charged 10 suspects with various drug related charges after conducting operation “Summer Time Blues.”

Officials say the undercover and surveillance operation targeted several people believed to be in possession of and involved with trafficking numerous drugs throughout the county. Investigators say they seized multiple trafficking amounts of opioid pain pills, several small amounts of methamphetamine, over a half a pound of cocaine, and over a pound and a half of marijuana.

Deputies say most of the suspects charged were from Lincoln County and had previous history in the area.

Four suspects have been arrested, and six are still wanted. The suspects and their charges are listed below.

ARRESTED:

  • Bobby Marshall Bailes, 78, of Vale, NC was charged with three felony counts each of sell and deliver methamphetamine and possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine. He received a $30,000 secured bond.
  • Tracey Dwayne Messer, 22, of Lincolnton, NC was charged with one felony count each of trafficking opium/heroin by sell, trafficking opium/heroin by deliver, trafficking opium/heroin by transport, trafficking opium/heroin by possession, sell and deliver amphetamine, sell and deliver oxycodone, sell and deliver cocaine, sell and deliver marijuana, possession with intent to sell and deliver opium/heroin, amphetamine, oxycodone, cocaine, marijuana, and schedule II controlled substance. Messer was placed in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $250,000 secured bond.
  • Robert Gregory Summey, 46, of Lincolnton, NC was charged with one felony count each sell and deliver oxycodone, sell and deliver diazepam, possession with intent to sell and deliver oxycodone, and possession with intent to sell and deliver diazepam. He was also charged with two felony counts each of sell and deliver marijuana and possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana. He received a $32,000 secured bond.
  • Angela Gale Hall, 40, of Lincolnton, NC was charged with one felony count each of conspire to sell and deliver methamphetamine and obtaining property by false pretense. She received a $23,000 bond.

WANTED

  • Caleb Lane Mitchem, 21, of Lincolnton, NC was charged with three felony counts each of trafficking cocaine by sell, trafficking cocaine by deliver, trafficking cocaine by transport, and trafficking cocaine by possession. He also faces four felony counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and one felony count of sell and deliver cocaine.
  • Lisa Walker Leonhardt, 52, of Vale, NC is facing three felony counts each of sell and deliver methamphetamine and possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine.
  • Joseph Dale Arrington, 25, of Hickory, NC is facing two felony counts each of trafficking opium/heroin by sell, trafficking opium/heroin by deliver, trafficking opium,/heroin by transport, trafficking opium/heroin by possession, and possession with intent to sell and deliver opium/heroin.
  • Desmond Tyrell Izard, 18, Lawndale, formerly of Vale, NC is facing one felony count each of sell and deliver schedule VI controlled substance and possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule VI controlled substance.
  • Kyle Williamson Auten, 32, of Gastonia, NC is facing one felony count each of sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance and possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance.
  • Spencer Ramon Woods, 21, Gastonia, NC is facing one felony count of possession of schedule II controlled substance.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lincolnton/Lincoln County Crime Stoppers at 704-736- 8909.