News

Eight charged after tip brings down big meth trafficking operation

By Bill Moss, Published: January 27, 2020

Three months after receiving a tip fingering a major supplier of methamphetamine, Henderson County sheriff's detectives arrested eight individuals they say ran a drug trafficking organization.

After receiving the tip, detectives with the Henderson County Drug Task Force began an investigation of Dax Edward Suarez, his associates, and co-conspirators. On Dec. 20, detectives used the Crime Suppression Unit of the Sheriff's Office to conduct a vehicle stop on Suarez. As a result of the stop, deputies seized about one pound of methamphetamine. Suarez was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and booked into the Henderson County Detention Center under a $300,000 bond. After posting bond, Suarez was subsequently released.

Detectives continued their investigation of Suarez and his drug trafficking enterprise and after consulting with District Attorney Greg Newman obtained arrest warrants for eight individuals, including Suarez and the other members of the suspected drug trafficking organization. Last Thursday the drug squad detectives with the assistance of the Henderson County SWAT team and the Crime Suppression Unit conducted a warrant round-up on Suarez and other individuals they say were involved in the drug dealing operation.

Charged were:

-- Dax Edward Suarez, charged with trafficking methamphetamine, two counts of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and continuing criminal enterprise. Suarez is currently held under a $1,216,000 secured bond at the Henderson County Detention Center.

-- Jodi Ann Mace, charged with felony aid and abet a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and felony possession of methamphetamine. Mace is currently held under a $210,000 secured bond at the Henderson County Detention Center.

-- Megan Walden, charged with felony aid and abet a continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Walden is currently held under a $200,000 secured bond at the Henderson County Detention Center.

-- Brittany Lynn Austin, charged with felony aid and abet a continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Austin is currently held under a $200,000 secured bond at the Henderson County Detention Center.

-- Michael Francis Pace, charged with felony aid and abet a continuing criminal enterprise, and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Pace is currently held under a $200,000 secured bond at the Henderson County Detention Center.

-- Joseph “Joey” Michael Lancaster, charged with felony aid and abet a continuing criminal enterprise, and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Lancaster is currently held under a $200,000.00 secured bond at the Henderson County Detention Center.

-- Mindy Ann Goode, charged with felony aid and abet a continuing criminal enterprise, and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Goode turned herself in to authorities, and after posting a $200,000.00 secured bond was subsequently released.

-- Davis Roger Suarez, charged with felony aid and abet a continuing criminal enterprise, and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Davis Suarez remains at large and has not been arrested by authorities. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Davis Suarez was asked to contact the Henderson County Sheriff's Office at 828.697.4911 or use the “Submit A Tip” feature in the sheriff's mobile app.

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Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin urges anyone with information regarding suspected drug activity to contact the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office at 828-694-2954 or submit an anonymous tip via the Sheriff’s Office mobile app, which can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store or Google Play.