Editor's note: This article has been modified since it was originally posted to remove an incorrect picture and replace it with the correct picture.
Marble – Local and federal juries convicted three local residents on methamphetamine-related charges in the last six weeks.
A Cherokee County jury convicted methamphetamine trafficker Mandy Jane Fortner, 34, of Marble, during a trial that started April 1 at Cherokee County Superior Court in Murphy.
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Fortner was sentenced to 90-120 months for mid-level trafficking in methamphetamine, 8-19 months for possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine and 6-17 months for maintaining a dwelling to use or sell controlled substances. The jury returned the verdicts after about 10 minutes of deliberations.
In March, a federal jury in Asheville convicted Keith Ryan Noles, 42, and Tina Jane Hill, 46, both of Marble, of trafficking methamphetamine and firearms offenses.
In announcing the verdict, Dena King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, was joined by Ronnie Martinez, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in North Carolina and South Carolina, and Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin.
“Rest assured, we will work every day to stop the scourge of deadly drugs into our community that are ruining our families, destroying homes and taking the lives of our loved ones. We are pleased on days like this, when we can make announcements such as this,” King said in a release.
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In February 2021, more than 8 pounds of methamphetamine was intercepted by law enforcement in Texas. Law enforcement learned from their source of supply that the meth was intended for Hill and Noles in North Carolina.
From 2020-21, their source of supply or his representative made multiple trips to North Carolina to deliver packages of methamphetamine to Hill and Noles, and to pick up cash payments, according to court testimony and evidence.
After the methamphetamine was intercepted in Texas, law enforcement planned a delivery of the meth to Hill and Noles as originally planned. Law enforcement arrested Noles soon after he arrived to assist with the delivery of the meth to his and Hill’s residence in Marble.
Law enforcement subsequently arrested Hill at the residence.
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The jury found Noles and Hill guilty of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Noles was also convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentencing hearings for Noles and Hill have not been set.
U.S. Attorney King commended HSI and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case. He also thanked the Andrews Police Department and Graham County Sheriff’s Office for “invaluable assistance.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Annabelle Chambers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case. Chambers, a state prosecutor with the office of the 43rd Prosecutorial District, was assigned by District Attorney Ashley Welch to serve as SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville.
Chambers is sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 43rd Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney said in a release.
“The SAUSA position helps ensure the effective and vigorous prosecution of federal court cases that impact the counties within the 43rd Prosecutorial District,” according to the release.
Smith and his office are “proud to continue to work with our state and federal partners to combat large-scale drug trafficking operations,” according to the release.