Regional drug sting:

Nine indicted

in federal probe
By Melanie Davis
melanie@mountaintimes.com

A six-month investigation has come to a close with nine individuals charged in federal court for trafficking in methamphetamine and cocaine across the High County.

In all, investigators seized 23 pounds of methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine, two handguns and a rifle.

While a majority of those involved are Ashe or Wilkes County residents, Boone Police chief Bill Post participated in the investigation.

A late-December drug bust near the Boone Food Lion on U.S. 421 is reportedly connected to the case.

Each suspect has been indicted on charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute one or more controlled substance, specifically at least 5 kilograms of cocaine and 500 grams of methamphetamine.

Devin Robert Chuch, age unknown, of Millers Creek, was released from federal custody on Feb. 28 in lieu of a $25,000 bond.

Timothy Ray McMeans, 34, of Millers Creek, remains in federal custody. He is scheduled to appear in federal district court in Charlotte on March 4 for a detention hearing.

James Robert Anderson, 30, of Wilkesboro, remains in federal custody since his Feb. 5 arrest.

Jesse Keith Cortner, 20, of Millers Creek, remains in federal custody. He is scheduled to appear in federal district court in Charlotte on March 4 for a detention hearing.

Yonel Astello-Posada, 20, also known as “Spike” and “Johnny B,” of North Wilkesboro, remains in federal custody since his Feb. 5 arrest. The court documents allege Astello-Posada was involved in a incident involving the sale of cocaine on Oct. 19. The Taurus .44 caliber and the Beretta .25 caliber handguns and the SKS 7.62 rifle were also seized at this time.

Ruben Sanchez-Guzman, 19, of Wilkesboro, remains in federal custody since his Jan. 31 arrest. Sanchez-Guzman is an illegal alien and an immigration detainer is on file.

Carlos Manuel-Duarte, 24, of Winston Salem, remains is federal custody since his Jan. 31 arrest. Manuel-Duarte is an illegal alien and an immigration detainer is on file.

Victor Andrade-Molina, 24, of Winston Salem, remains in federal custody since his Jan. 31 arrest. Andrade-Molina is an illegal alien and an immigration detainer is on file.

A ninth suspect, Scott Lee Foster, 30, of Moravian Falls, was charged separately this week in a federal bill of information for his role in the alleged conspiracy. Foster entered a guilty plea in federal district court on Feb. 28. He remains in federal custody.

Agencies participating in the investigation include Ashe County Sheriff’s Office, Boone Police Department, Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office, Wilkesboro Police Department, N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Other assistance was provided by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Mooresville Police Department and Yadkinville Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Cullen will lead the prosecution.