“We continue to work a drug that has impacted our community as a whole, along with other illegal drugs,” Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said this afternoon. “Other arrests are pending.”
Tripp declined comment on how long multiple agencies which included the City County Drug Task Force, the Northampton County Sheriff's Office and the state Bureau of Investigation have been looking into reputed illicit drug sales by Antonio Maurice Simmons, 33, and his wife, Sasha Ernestine Simmons, 29.
Principles charges filed against the two by task force Captain A.M. Harris include trafficking heroin; felony possession of heroin; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance.
Additionally, Mr. Simmons was charged with possession of stolen goods for reportedly having a stolen North Carolina license which had been entered into national criminal databases.
Mrs. Simmons was charged with resisting a public officer for refusing to heed commands of the Hazardous Entry and Arrest Team and task force agents during the 7:30 a.m. raid, the sheriff said in a statement.
The raid was prompted by citizen complaints and investigation by the task force and SBI.
While not specifically addressing the complaints which led to the investigation and raid this morning, Tripp said, “They can be anything. A majority of those complaints concern heavy traffic. If we get a new complaint it's followed up on. Time does have to be placed into the investigation.”
During the search, with assistance from canine agent Josh, 10 individually-wrapped bags of cocaine and approximately 4.1 grams of heroin packaged for sale were seized along with cash.
Mr. Simmons received a $35,000 secured bond and Mrs. Simmons received a $20,000 secured bond. The couple was confined to the Halifax County Detention Center with a January 27 court date.
“The City County Drug Task Force will continue to follow up on all drug complaints throughout the county,” Tripp said in the statement. “The task force will continue to work with neighboring counties and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Special Agent P. Munson to remove drugs from the Roanoke Valley.”
Citizens are encouraged to call Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252 583-4444 to report any drug activity or log onto www.halifaxsheriff.com to submit a tip.
