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Murphy – A weeklong investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office culminated in a traffic stop of a vehicle on Dec. 21, when drugs and firearms were seized.
Barron Jermel Sudderth, 42, and Tommy Vaughn Dockery Jr., 49, both of Murphy, have been charged with violations of N.C. Controlled Substances Statutes. During a probable cause search of a vehicle occupied by Sudderth and Dockery, a trafficking amount of suspected heroin and fentanyl, suspected methamphetamine, a handgun and ammunition was seized, according to a release.
Narcotic investigators then executed a search warrant on the residence of Sudderth, which is in a public housing complex. During the search of Sudderth’s residence, additional weapons and ammunition were seized. Both Sudderth and Dockery have previous convictions and are prohibited by state statutes from possessing firearms.
Sudderth is incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center on two charges of trafficking in opium or heroin; possession of a methamphetamine with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver; and maintaining a place for use or possession of a controlled substance. He is under a $150,000 secure bond and has a District Court date of Thursday, Jan. 13.
Dockery is incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center on two charges of trafficking in opium or heroin; and possession of a methamphetamine with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver. He is under a $150,000 secure bond and has a District Court date of Thursday, Jan. 13.
“This operation located at least a mid-level amount of heroin, fentanyl and firearms in a public housing area in the residence of one of the charged individuals,” Chief Deputy Joe
Wood said. “This definitely was a recipe for disaster had a child discovered even a small amount of these deadly drugs or had gotten possession of a loaded firearm.
“We are not resting on this one and will continue to go up the food chain to work to stem the flow of illegal drugs in Cherokee County. As always, we continue to appreciate the public’s assistance in this and all of our cases.”
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law, call 837-1344 or email a tip to crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.