Robbinsville – The efforts of an 11-month, undercover investigation involving multiple agencies have been cleansed.
The Graham County Sheriff's Office spearheaded the initial efforts of "Operation Dirty Laundry" in 2024, after receiving tips regarding illegal drug and gambling activity at three local businesses: The Greener Side Dispensary, The Washboard laundromat and Z's Tobacco & Vape. In the case of the two latter businesses, both illicit drug and gambling activity was suspected; only illegal drug activity was alleged at The Greener Side Dispensary.
The investigation culminated with four local arrests Nov. 22, 2024, as well as 37 additional arrests Nov. 26, 2024. In addition to six vehicles and over $1 million in assets, a laundry list of narcotics were seized.
Those arrested in connection with "Operation Dirty Laundry" were: Mohamed Abdullah Almasmari, Ayad Radwan Alsalme, Mitchell Wayne Ayers, Randy Heath Blevins, Shauntae Antoinette Boykin, Patrick Ryan Burchfield, Joshua Randall Cable, Ritchie Lynn Campbell, Daniel Glenn Cooper, Joshua James "JJ" Crisp, Rebecca Ann Crisp, Samuel Henry Crisp, Ray Marcus Freeman, Casey Trent Freeman, Hannah Lynn Garrison, Gary Dion Harris, Lisa Denene James, Keith Jordan, Terry Cain Jordan, Lisa Ann Jumper, Christy Lee Lofty, Felicia Ann Mayberry, Donna Rose Messer, Carla Suzanne Moore, Angel Nichole Morgan, Brian Jude Muncy, Kevin Ray Nations, Aaron Keith Orr, Travis Wesley Orr, Kristy Meshell Phillips, Michael Ray Phillips, Charlona Leshon Pressley, Miranda Nicole Rutland, Wayne William Sawyer, III., Timothy Andrew Sellers, Dennis James Solles, Derek Channing Trull, Brittany Paige Underwood, Willem Adriaan Van De Weerd, Larry Ted Williams and Dale Henry Wilson.
However, all the work was for naught.
Last month, the office of District Attorney Ashley Welch dismissed all the charges related to the investigation. Dismissals simply read, "After further investigation," but offer no further explanation about the decision to drop charges.
Welch was unavailable for comment before The Graham Star's Tuesday press deadline.