News

Drug traffickers get prison terms

By Lightning Reports, Published: May 9, 2023

During the most recent Henderson County three-day Superior Court Administrative Session, which began on May 03, 2023, the following four drug traffickers pleaded guilty and were sentenced by Superior Court Judge Mark Powell, istrict Attorney Andrew Murray announced.

Those sentenced were:

• Marisela Mendoza Casillas, 44, of Hendersonville, pleaded guilty to trafficking in methamphetamine, conspiring to traffic in methamphetamine, and conspiring to traffic in cocaine. According to court records and the sentencing hearing, on May 18, 2022, the Henderson County Drug Task Force was completing surveillance on the residence of Casillas when they witnessed what appeared to be a drug buy. The surveillance being done on this date was the culmination of a lengthy and time-consuming investigation conducted jointly with the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the Henderson County Drug Task Force, and multiple other law enforcement agencies. A subsequent vehicle stop of the buyer’s vehicle yielded a large quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine. The driver of the vehicle confirmed that he had just purchased the illegal drugs from Casillas. Deputies immediately obtained and executed a search warrant for the residence of Casillas, where a cache of 272 grams of methamphetamine was located. Casillas, after being mirandized, took responsibility for the methamphetamine in her house and for selling methamphetamine and cocaine to the buyer that was stopped leaving from her residence earlier in the day. Superior Court Judge Mark Powell accepted the plea arrangement between the defendant and the state and sentenced the defendant to a consolidated sentence of 90 to 120 months in prison. The defendant was also ordered to pay a mandatory minimum fine of $100,000.
• Jeffrey S. Clark, 56, of Weaverville, pleaded guilty to trafficking in methamphetamine. According to court records and the sentencing hearing, on February 03, 2021, a Henderson County Sheriff’s Deputy completed a routine traffic stop on a vehicle that he witnessed displaying a fictious tag and traveling left of center on several occasions. The deputy subsequently searched the vehicle pursuant to probable cause based on an open container of alcohol that was clearly visible in the center console, along with a crack pipe sticking out of Clark’s pocket. Clark was the front right passenger of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle located scales used to weigh illegal drugs at Clark’s feet, and a zippered bag containing 292 grams of methamphetamine, 21 grams of cocaine, and $5,822 in cash. Powell accepted the plea arrangement between the defendant and the State and sentenced the defendant to 70 to 93 months in prison. The defendant was also ordered to pay a mandatory minimum fine of $50,000.
• Richard F. Lange, III, 24, of Hendersonville, pleaded guilty to trafficking in heroin/fentanyl. According to court records and the sentencing hearing, on Aug. 3, 2022, a Fletcher Police Department Captain made a routine traffic stop of a vehicle that he witnessed with heavy front end damage and no discernible headlights. A record check of the displayed license tag came back as expired, along with a no insurance notice. Upon approaching, the captain determined Lange to be the sole occupant. A strong odor of marijuana was detected emanating from the interior of the vehicle. Lange was removed from the car and a subsequent search of the vehicle located drug scales and a large bag of white powdery substance in a Coach bag that field tested positive as an illegal substance. The substance was submitted to the State Crime Laboratory where it was determined to be 35 grams of fentanyl. Powell accepted the plea arrangement between the defendant and the state and sentenced the defendant to 90 to 120 months in prison. The defendant was also ordered to pay a mandatory minimum fine of $100,000.
• Brian A. McKinney, 41 of Lincolnton, pleaded guilty to trafficking in heroin/fentanyl by possession and Trafficking in Methamphetamine. According to court records and the sentencing hearing, on April 22, 2021, a Hendersonville police officer located a stolen motorcycle on a trailer at the Best Western Motel in Hendersonville. Upon further investigation, the officer determined McKinney was driving the vehicle attached to the trailer and that McKinney was located in a certain motel room. Officers approached the hotel room where they located McKinney, along with two bags of a white powder substance in his possession. The bags of drugs were submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration’s Laboratory and were determined to be 37 grams of fentanyl. On Aug. 27, 2022, a Henderson County sheriff’s deputy made a routine traffic stop on a vehicle that he witnessed twice crossing a solid yellow center line. McKinney, who was out on bond from his April 2021 arrest, was the driver of the vehicle and declared upon the deputy’s approach that his license was suspended. McKinney was removed from the vehicle and patted down for weapons for the officer’s safety. A pat-down search located a glass pipe and drug scales in the pockets of his cargo pants. A search of McKinney’s vehicle revealed a black plastic container with 2 plastic bags of methamphetamine and a piece of folded paper with fentanyl. The drugs were submitted to the NC State Crime Laboratory and were determined to be a total of 45 grams of methamphetamine and .11 grams of fentanyl. Powell accepted the plea arrangement between the defendant and the State and sentenced the defendant to a sentence of 140 to 186 months in prison. The defendant was also ordered to pay a mandatory minimum fine of $100,000.

Murray thanked state, local, and federal law enforcement partners for their collaboration, professional investigations, and unwavering commitment to protecting the lives of Henderson County residents.
“These trafficking convictions are a testament to their tireless efforts at preventing the drug cartels from poisoning our streets,” he said. “There is no doubt that placing four drug traffickers in prison for lengthy prison sentences will result, and has resulted, in the saving of numerous innocent lives. Our frontline warriors are to be commended for their dedication and selfless sacrifices.”