'
THE F
Twenty-sixth Year, Number 24 , ?M
48 ii idiCttHj Or
More Charges
BY RAHN ADAMS
Ten months after the state's first special investigative
grand jury charged 32 individuals with cocaine
trafficking in Brunswick County, 48
more?including a former Ocean Isle Beach town official?were
indicted Monday on cocaine and marijuana
charges in a continuation of what investigators have dubbed
"Operation White Tide."
Among those indicted Monday was DeCarol Williamson,
37, of Route 2, Ocean Isle Beach.
Williamson, a local businessman and
the son of Ocean Isle Beach
Jfi&W developer Odell Williamson, was ap k
JM pointed to the Ocean Isle Beach
vRvl'&i Board of Commissioners last July,
Mk . but lost his bid for election to the seat
last November. He was indicted Mon
'X day on two cocaine trafficking
$R / ^ charges stemming from alleged drug
wuuamsoo offenses in 1984, according to District
Attorney Mike Easley.
At a press conference Monday in Bolivia, Easley said
the current 270 indictments resulted from a six-month investigation
by the state's second investigative grand
jury, which has not been dissolved. The special grand
jury that returned indictments last June was disbanded,
he noted.
"This grand jury is still in session and can continue to
investigate," Easley said Monday, indicating that additional
indictments are expected to be handed down during
the May 16 session of Brunswick County Superior
Court.
As of Monday, the grand jury had heard about 36
hours of testimony from 20 witnesses. Monday's indictments
involve offenses that allegedly occurred from 1983
until the present, Easley said.
More Charges Expected
A chart that was used by the district attorney to
outline the on-going investigation showed that at least 40
more unidentified suspects face possible indictment.
The chart indicated that at least 15 of that number
are allegedly linked to illegal drug activity at Shallotte's
Resort Plaza shopping center, which was seized by
federal authorities last September after its owner, Alvin
Bryan Willis III, was indicted on cocaine trafficking
charges by the first special grand jury.
Last November, Willis pleaded guilty to one count of
conspiracy to traffic in more than 400 grams of cocaine,
as part of a plea arrangement. He was sentenced to 35
years in prison and a $250,000 fine last December.
Eioaicy empnasizeu mai me invesugauon is expected
to result in indictments in four other southeastern states
besides North Carolina.
"There is a large number in Alabama, Georgia,
South Carolina and Florida that are under investigation
now by local authorities, but mostly by federal investigative
grand juries," he said. "We expect them to be
forthcoming with indictments at some time."
White Tide' Outlined
During the press conference, Easley estimated that
the offenses alleged in this week's indictments involved
almost 350 pounds of marijuana and cocaine, with marijuana
making up most of the total weight. The drugs were
worth a total of $2.5 million, with cocaine accounting for
most of that figure. One ounce of cocaine is worth $1,600
to $2,000 on the street, he noted.
"To give you an idea of the scheme," Easley said, "a
smaller number ... of Brunswick County residents went
to Florida and other states?but mainly Florida?and
nicked up kilos (2.2 pounds)?sometimes multi
Kilos?ana Drought them to Brunswick County where
they were distributed.
"Now, on occasion, they went through Brunswick
County to other counties in the state and other states," he
added. "But generally once they were brought into
White Tide' Dru
Are Residents C
In "Operation White Tide," a special Brunswick
County investigative grand jury indicted 48 individuals
from North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida Monday
on a total 270 drug trafficking counts.
Defendants include 28 from Brunswick County,
seven from elsewhere in North Carolina, two from
r'.... 1 1, r ci?i-i_ ?*
4JUUVI1 winjiiiitt mm ii uuill r lunuil. ImfrargCS invuivc
both cocaine and marijuana trafficking.
According to Special Assistant District Attorney
Bill Wolak, the penalty for a conviction on each trafficking
count involving between 28 grams and 200
grams of cocaine ranges from seven years to 15 years
in prison, with a $50,000 fine; 200 grams to 400 grams of
cocaine, 14 years to 20 years, $100,000 fine; more than
400 grams of cocaine, 35 years to 40 years, $250,000 fine.
Wolak said the penalty for a conviction on each
marijuana trafficking count involving 50 pounds to 100
pounds range from five years to 10 years in prison, with
a $5,000 fine; 100 pounds to 2,000 pounds, seven years to
15 years, $25,000 fine.
However, the district attorney noted that both the
prison term and fine can be reduced if a trial judge
determines that the individual defendant provided
"substantial assistance" to the state in the investigation.
Defendants in "Operation White Tide" include:
John Dudley Bryant, 45, Route 1, Inland; posses
oil/1 1/1 V.WIUUII, 'null uian iAj a IIIO.
Jeffery L. Caison, 29, Barefoot Bay, Supply;
possession of cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine,
in. ? ?
minim/
HOAG & SONS BOOK BINDERY
12/31/99
SPRINGF'ORT MI 49284
i Drug Counts;
Anticipated
Brunswick County, they were distributed in ounce
forms."
Easlcy said investigators believe the majority of the
drugs were transported by car.
"That's the problem with cocaine?you get nickeled
and dimed to death in the trunk of a car," he commented,
then later added, "It was a lot easier back when we had
shrimp boats and U-Haul trucks to trace them."
Past Activities Noted
According to Easlcy, the 48 individuals indicted Monday
are not believed to be part of a "ring," although
many of them may know each other.
"A lot of it is the same old cartel we had with the
marijuana smuggling," he said. "A lot of these conspiracies
were going on, and you don't know who was doing
what in Brunswick County, but we know what they're
doing in Florida and other states.
"So though they may know each other and deal with
each other, they don't know what each other is doing in
other states," he added. "Each one of these rings?or
conspiracies?in and of itself is not isolated . . . There is
no isolated conspiracy, which concerns us."
SB1 Deputy Director Charles Dunn and Brunswick
County Sheriff John C. Davis also participated in Monday's
press conference to comment on the special grand
jury's importance in apprehending suspected drug traf
ncKers.
"When you look and sec some of the interconnections
of the drug trafficking in this state with other states in the
Southeast... you'll see that this is not something that
just comes together," Dunn said. "It's something that
somebody plans and puts together and has developed a
very elaborate system of distribution.
"It's really a cancer on our society," Dunn added,
"and certainly we've made a little surgical effort to get
some of it out with this operation, but the problem will not
go away today."
Noting that the special grand jury has received mixed
reviews from lawmen across the state, Davis expressed
his support of the concept.
"Some of the sheriffs were reluctant about this state
investigative grand jury," Davis said. "I've always supported
it. I support it now. I think we need it.
"Some of them seemed to think this was going to
cause a witch hunt," Davis added, "and if this has been a
witch hunt in Brunswick County, I say let's keep on with
it and get the witches."
Charges Described
Williamson, who is self-employed with DeCarol
Williamson Enterprises, was indicted on charges including
conspiracy to traffic in more than 400 grams of
cocaine and possession of more than 400 grams of cocaine,
according to the Brunswick County Clerk of
Court's office.
In addition to the four months Williamson served on
uie ucean isle Beach town board last year, he is a former
Brunswick County representative on the Lower Cape
Fear Water and Sewer Authority?a post he resigned
earlier this year. He also has served as associate pastor
of Brunswick Christian Center in Thomasboro and as
chairman of both the Brunswick County Democratic
Men's Club and the Brunswick County Independent Insurance
Agents organization.
"I Williamson) had a group of people with whom he
dealt directly ... and by indictment you'U notice that occurred
in 1934, the two counts against Mr. Williamson,"
Easley told reporters.
Following the press conference, the district attorney
added that Williamson "got in it and out of it on his
own ... He wasn't busted, he just quit."
Special Assistant District Attorney Bill Wolak, who
will prosecute the drug trafficking cases, said Williamson
allegedly was involved in illegal drug activity for
(See 48 INDICTED, Page 3-A)
1
g Defendants
)f Three States
more than 28 grams, Dec. 15, 1986.
Ricky Dale Caison, 27, Route 1, Supply; five
counts conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, five counts
possession of cocaine, more than 28 grams, June 15,
1986, to Dec. 15,1986.
Freddie Gerald Carroll, 32, Keystone Heights,
Fla.; conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, possession of cocaine,
transporting cocaine, more than 400 grams,
Dec. 11,1983.
Jerry Detane Carter, 31, Shallotte; conspiracy to
traffic in cocaine, possession of cocaine, more than 400
grams, Jan. 15,1984.
Irvln Lane Carter, 37, Hawthorne, Fla.; two
counts conspiracy to traffic in cocair.e, more than 400
crams. Den. 11. 19M nnH .Inn IS 1QR4
Robert Darren Carter, 24, Starke, Fla.; delivery
of cocaine, transporting cocaine, possession of cocaine,
more than 400 grams, Dec. 19,1987.
Robert Dale Clemmons, 34, Shallotte; conspiracy
to traffic in cocaine, possession of cocaine, transporting
cocaine, more than 28 grams, Jan. 9,1985.
Sandra Lynn Coker, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; conspiracy
to traffic in cocaine, more than 400 grams,
Dec. 11,1983.
Christopher Matthew Corbett, 20, Route 1, Supply;
conspiracy to traffic in marijuana, possession of
marijuana, transporting marijuana, more than 100
pounds, March 1, 1988; transporting cocaine, five
counts conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, five counts
(See WHITE TIDE, Page 3-A)
{
. i hursday, April 21 1988
J
DISTRICT ATTORNEY MIKE EA
announces that Brunswick County's
tion grand jury' returned 270 indict
suspected drug traffickers Mond
Ocean lsl<
Of Police
BY DOUG BUTTER
The Town of Ocean Isle Beach will
advertise immediately for a new
chief of police following last week's
resignation of William Ozment.
Ozment, who has served as police
chief for about 10
months, announced
last Friday
that he will
^ vacate the post
^ April 30. In his
T> /%: letter of resigna?3ftT?r
tion, he said he
believes "it is in
^prr the best interest
ounmt of me and my
family to return to Greensboro."
Ozment will return to work as a
patrol officer in his hometown of
Greensboro starting May 2.
He said last week the primary factor
in his decision to leave the department
was the recent illness of his
mother-in-law. She needs iamiiy support,
he said.
"It was one of the hardest decisions
I've ever had to make in my life,"
said Ozment.
Mayor Betty Williamson said
Saturday the town will advertise and
hire a new police chief as soon as
possible.
Roberts Sei
BY RAHN ADAMS
A local realtor received an active
prison sentence this week in
Brunswick County Superior Court,
eight months after he pleaded guilty
to cocaine trafficking charges.
Judge Giles Clark sentenced Virgil
Roberts, 51, of Ilolden Beach, to a
315-year prison term on Monday, according
to the Brunswick County
Clerk of Court's office.
The defendant was given credit for
57 days that he spent undergoing presentencing
evaluation at the N.C.
Department of Corrections facility in
Troy.
Roberts, owner of Virgil Roberts
Realty at Ilolden Beach, was one of
37 individuals indicted last June and
July in Brunswick County on cocaine
trafficking charges as a result of
work done by the state's first investigative
grand jury.
On Aug. 10, 1987, he pleaded guilty
as charged to possession of more
than 100 grams of cocaine, two counts
of conspiracy to traffic in more than
400 grams of cocaine, five counts of
conspiracy to traffic in more than 28
grams of cocaine and four counts of
RAD
25c Per Copy
? \ a "SB
^ Ml
SLEY (standing) Bolivia. Also pictu
second investiga- ty Sheriff John C
ments against 48 Charles Dunn.
ay afternoon in
5 Hopes To I
Vacancy Qi
"1 think the town's been very fortunate
to have the caliber of person
that Chief Ozment is," she added.
"We're sorry to see him leave, but we
understand his decision."
The mayor also said that Ozment
had not mentioned to her that he was
considering leaving the area.
Despite the resignations of two
town police officers within the past
month, Ozment said his decision to
leave was not job-related. He said the
other vacancies in the department
arc just "coincidental."
According to Ozment, Jerry Wilson
resigned March 30 to go into business
for himself and Bill l.cwis resigned
nKn..t 1-? f? '
ouuui uuc Htti\ mici iui pursuiiai
reasons. The town has advertised to
fiii those positions.
Ozment started working as chief of
police and superintendent of streets
and sanitation at Ocean Isle Beach
June 16.
He was hired following the resignation
of former police chief Jerry
Gurganus, who left June 1 for "personal
reasons" after 14 years with
the department.
Prior to coming to Ocean Isle
Beach, Ozment had worked 20 years
with the Greensboro Police Departritenced
In Co
trafficking by possession of more
than 23 grams of cocaine.
According to court records.
Roberts faced a maximum sentence
of 255 years in prison and a mandatory
minimum sentence of 168
years.
However, after hearing testimony
Monday morning, Clark ruled that
Roberts had provided "substantial
assistance in the identification, arrest
and conviction of co-defendants
in the offenses for which he is charged,"
court documents stated. A finding
of "substantial assistance"
allows a judge to hand down a lesser
sentence than is required by the
state's drug trafficking laws.
Special Assistant District Attorney
Bill Wolak said Monday that only
three of the original 37 drug defendants
remain to be tried. Some 34
defendants entered guilty picas. Of
that number, all but 10 had been
sentenced as of Tuesday, Wolak said.
According to Wolak, defendants
yet to be tried include Dale Varniun
of Supply, who was scheduled to appear
in Brunswick County Superior
Court today < Thursday i. Fotios
{
)N
40 Pages
?"^Hgrrm
S?i
-
KP^WUrlKSHHK^tW^ih^PiByy^BSifi
STAFF PHOTO BY RAHN ADAMS
red arc (from left) Brunswick Coun.
Davis and SBI Deputy Director
Fill Chief
Liickly ,
ment. When he left that department
last summer, he said he was given
the option to return within one year.
Another factor in his decision to
leave, he added, is the fact that his
wife, Sandra, will have a better opportunity
to find work in a secretarial
or administrative position in
Greensboro. She had been working
locally in the real estate industry.
In his letter, Ozment also said
working as chief of police "lias been
a very rewarding experience lor me,
and I am grateful for the opportunity
to have served the citizens of Ocean
Isle Beach."
During an interview last week, Ozment
said of the town, "It's just a unique
place, kinda special to me. I'm
leaving on a very positive note, but
also with great sorrow."
He added, "You sort of hate to walk
away from this because it is so enjoyable.
But 1 know i'm better off for
having lived and worked here."
Oznient said he and his wife will
keep their home at Ocean Isle and
plan to make frequent visits to the
area.
"In spite of the job change," he joked,
"you're still gonna have to put up
with me."
caine Case
Kamtsiklis of Greenville and fugitive
Francisco Navarro of Fort Myers,
Fla.
SBI Agent Corey Duber said Monday
that Navarro was arrested last
month in Mexico and is awaiting ex
tradition to the United States. After
tracking the drug suspect for almost
a year, Duber used confidential informants
to "lure" Navarro to Juarez,
Mexico, where he was taken into
custody on a fugitive warrant by
Mexican police.
However, Wolak said the U.S.
Department of State is having difficulty
returning Navarro here to be
prosecuted.
"For some reason, the Mexican
authorities have refused to honor the
extradition request by the United
States," Wolak said Monday.
"Navarro's going to have to be tried,
and I don't know what it's ooino to
take to get him back here."
Wolak noted that one other
fugitive?Alan Dale Brooks of
Shallotte?remains at large. Brooks
fled after pleading guilty to drug
charges in Brunswick County, Wolak
said.
i
f.